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 20182019

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)

John Blood

General CounselChief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer and Company Secretary

Brouwerijplein 1,

3000 Leuven,

Belgium

Telephone No.: + 32 16 27 61 11

Email:Corporategovernance@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

Trading symbol

 

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 BUDNew York Stock Exchange
6.375% Notes due 2040 (issued January 2010) New York Stock Exchange
5.375% Notes due 2020 (issued January 2010)BUD40 New York Stock Exchange
4.375% Notes due 2021 (issued January 2011) BUD21New York Stock Exchange
6.875%8.200% Notes due 20192039 (issued FebruaryMarch 2011)BUD39 New York Stock Exchange
2.500% Notes due 2022 (issued July 2012) BU22New York Stock Exchange
3.750% Notes due 2042 (issued July 2012)BUD42A New York Stock Exchange
2.625% Notes due 2023 (issued January 2013) BUD/23New York Stock Exchange
4.000% Notes due 2043 (issued January 2013) New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Notes due 2019 (issued January 2014)BUD/43 New York Stock Exchange
3.700% Notes due 2024 (issued January 2014) BUD/24New York Stock Exchange
4.625% Notes due 2044 (issued January 2014) New York Stock Exchange
2.650% Notes due 2021 (issued January 2016)BUD/44 New York Stock Exchange
3.300% Notes due 2023 (issued January 2016) BUD/23ANew York Stock Exchange
3.650% Notes due 2026 (issued January 2016)BUD/26 New York Stock Exchange
4.700% Notes due 2036 (issued January 2016) BUD/36New York Stock Exchange
4.900% Notes due 2046 (issued January 2016)BUD/46 New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Notes due 2021 (issued January 2016) New York Stock Exchange
3.750% Notes due 2022 (issued December 2016)BUD/21A New York Stock Exchange
4.950% Notes due 2042 (issued December 2016) BUD/42New York Stock Exchange
6.625% Notes due 2033 (issued December 2016)BUD/33 New York Stock Exchange
5.875% Notes due 2035 (issued December 2016) BUD/35New York Stock Exchange
4.439% Notes due 2048 (issued August 2017)BUD/48New York Stock Exchange
3.500% Notes due 2024 (issued April 2018)BUD/24B New York Stock Exchange
4.000% Notes due 2028 (issued April 2018) BUD/28New York Stock Exchange
4.375% Notes due 2038 (issued April 2018)BUD/38 New York Stock Exchange
4.600% Notes due 2048 (issued April 2018) BUD/48ANew York Stock Exchange
4.750% Notes due 2058 (issued April 2018)BUD/58 New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Notes due 2024 (issued April 2018) BUD24ANew York Stock Exchange
4.150% Notes due 2025 (issued January 2019)BUD/25 New York Stock Exchange
4.750% Notes due 2029 (issued January 2019) BUD/29New York Stock Exchange
4.900% Notes due 2031 (issued January 2019)BUD/31 New York Stock Exchange
5.450% Notes due 2039 (issued January 2019) BUD/39ANew York Stock Exchange
5.550% Notes due 2049 (issued January 2019) BUD/49New York Stock Exchange
5.800% Notes due 2059 (issued January 2019)BUD/59New York Stock Exchange
4.900% Notes due 2046 (issued May 2019)BUD/46ANew York Stock Exchange
4.700% Notes due 2036 (issued May 2019)BUD/36ANew York Stock Exchange
3.650% Notes due 2026 (issued May 2019)BUD/26A 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.

1,693,242,156 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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).      Yes      No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or anon-accelerated filer.filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “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 Rule12b-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

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

   viiii 

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

   viiii 

PRESENTATION OF MARKET INFORMATION

   viiiv 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   viiiv 

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

   23 

ITEM 4.

   

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

   2627 

A.

   

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

   2627 

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

   6463 

B.

   

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

   7371 

C.

   

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

   8078 

D.

   

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

   8179 

E.

   

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   8280 

F.

   

IMPACT OF CHANGES IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

   114113 

G.

   

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

   115114 

H.

   

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND CONTINGENCIES

   126125 

I.

   

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

   128127 

J.

   

OUTLOOK AND TREND INFORMATION

   128127 

ITEM 6.

   

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

   130128 

A.

   

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

   130128 

B.

   

COMPENSATION

   145142 

C.

   

BOARD PRACTICES

   164160 

D.

   

EMPLOYEES

   167163 

E.

   

SHARE OWNERSHIP

   168164 

ITEM 7.

   

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   168164 

A.

   

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

   168164 

B.

   

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   172168 

C.

   

INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

   175171 

 

-iv--i-


ITEM 8.

   

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   175172 

A.

   

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   175172 

B.

   

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

   184180 

ITEM 9.

   

THE OFFER AND LISTING

   184180 

A.

   

THE OFFER AND LISTING

   184180 

B.

   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   185181 

C.

   

MARKETS

   185181 

D.

   

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

   186182 

E.

   

DILUTION

   186182 

F.

   

EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE

   186182 

ITEM 10.

   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   186182 

A.

   

SHARE CAPITAL

   186182 

B.

   

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION AND OTHER SHARE INFORMATION

   186182 

C.

   

MATERIAL CONTRACTS

   196192 

D.

   

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

   199195 

E.

   

TAXATION

   199195 

F.

   

DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS

   206201 

G.

   

STATEMENT BY EXPERTS

   206201 

H.

   

DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

   206201 

I.

   

SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION

   207202 

ITEM 11.

   

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   207202 

ITEM 12.

   

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

   209204 

A.

   

DEBT SECURITIES

   209204 

B.

   

WARRANTS AND RIGHTS

   209205 

C.

   

OTHER SECURITIES

   209205 

D.

   

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

   209205 

ITEM 13.

   

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

   214210 

ITEM 14.

   

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

   214210 

ITEM 15.

   

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   214210 

ITEM 16A.

   

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

   215211 

ITEM 16B.

   

CODE OF ETHICS

   215211 

ITEM 16C.

   

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

   215211 

ITEM 16D.

   

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

   216212 

ITEM 16E.

   

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER

   216212 

ITEM 16F.

   

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

   217213 

ITEM 16G.

   

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

   218213 

ITEM 16H.

   

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

   218214 

ITEM 17.

   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   219214 

ITEM 18.

   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   219214 

ITEM 19.

   

EXHIBITS

   219214 

 

-v--ii-


GENERAL INFORMATION

In this annual report on Form20-F (“Form 2020-F-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 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;

 

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;

 

Budweiser APAC” are to Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange;

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 combination with SAB on 10 October 2016;

 

Grupo Modelo” are to Cervecería Modelo de México, S. de R.L. de C.V., a Mexican limited liability company;company, and the group of companies owned and/or controlled by Cervecería Modelo de México, S. de R.L. de C.V.;

 

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 SAB shareholders in connection with the 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;

 

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

 

SAB Group” are to ABI SAB Group Holding Limited and the group of companies owned and/or controlled by ABI SAB Group Holding Limited.

When we discuss consumers of our products that contain alcohol, this is in reference to consumers of legal drinking age in their respective jurisdictions.

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

We have prepared our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018,2019, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and in conformity with International Financial Reporting

-iii-


Standards as adopted by the European Union (“IFRS”). Unless otherwise specified, the financial information analysis in this Form20-F is based on our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019. Unless otherwise specified, all financial information included in this Form20-F has been stated in U.S. dollars.

All references in this Form20-F to (i) “euro” or “EUR” are to the common currency of the European Union, (ii) “U.S. dollar,” “$” or “USD” are to the currency of the United States of America, (iii) “CAD” (Canadian dollar) are to the currency of Canada, (iv) “R$,BRL,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) “ZAR” (South African rand) are to the currency of South Africa, (ix) “COP” (Colombian peso) are to the currency of 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.

SinceEffectiveOctober 2016,January 2019, we havereorganized our regional reporting structure. Our results are now reported our financial results under the following sixfive regions: North America, LatinMiddle Americas, South America, West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA and Asia Pacific. We continue 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. The key changes in the company’s structure are as follows: (i) the new Middle Americas region combined the former Latin America West region with 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 combined the former Latin America South region with Brazil, which was previously reported in Latin America North region. Our sixfive geographic regions plus our Global Export and Holding Companies comprise our sevensix 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.”

FollowingEffective 1 January 2019, IFRS 16Leases replaced the combinationprevious lease accounting requirements and introduced 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 SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumesa different recognition of lease costs. We adopted IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019 under the full retrospective application method.

Effective 30 September 2019, following the announcement on 19 July 2019 of the retained SABagreement to divest Carlton & United Breweries (“CUB” or “Australian operations”), our Australian subsidiary, to Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. (“Asahi”), we classified the assets and liabilities associated with the Australian operations as assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. In addition, since the results of the fourth quarterAustralian operations represent a separate major line of 2016.business, these are now accounted for as discontinued operations as required by IFRS 5 and presented in a separate line in the consolidated income statement (“profit from discontinued operations”). Consequently, the 2018 and 2017 consolidated results have been restated as if the classification had been applied as of 1 January 2018 and 1 January 2017, respectively, to exclude the results of the Australian operations.

The financial information for 2018 and 2017 included in this Form20-F has been restated to reflect the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations, the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the segment changes referenced above.

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 (“

-iv-


(“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 2018.2019.

-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. 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, 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;

 

-v-


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;

 

-viii-


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;

 

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, 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 combination with SAB;

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

 

natural and other disasters;disasters, including widespread health emergencies, cyberattacks and military conflict and political instability;

 

any inability to economically hedge certain risks;

 

inadequate impairment provisions and loss reserves;

 

technological changes, and threats to cybersecurity;cybersecurity and the risk of loss or misuse of personal data;

 

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

 

-vi-


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.

-ix-


Certain of the cost savings and synergies information related to the combination 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 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 combination 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.

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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-vii-


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 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 2015 and 2014,2015, and for the five years ended 31 December 2018,2019, has been derived from our audited restated 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 restated consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The audited restated consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes as of 31 December 20182019 and 20172018 and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 have been included in this Form20-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.

   2019   2018(7)(8)   2017(8)   2016(6)(8)   2015(8) 
   (USD millions) 

Income Statement Data

          

Revenue(1)

   52,329    53,041    54,859    45,517    43,604 

Profit from operations

   16,098    16,414    16,460    12,882    13,904 

Profit from continuing operations

   9,990    5,157    8,606    2,721    9,867 

Profit of the period

   10,414    5,688    9,166    2,769    9,867 

Profit attributable to our equity holders

   9,171    4,370    7,990    1,241    8,273 

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

   1,984    1,975    1,971    1,717    1,638 

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

   2,026    2,011    2,010    1,755    1,668 

 

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

Income Statement Data

          

Revenue(1)

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

Profit from operations

   17,106    17,152    12,882    13,904    15,111 

Profit from continuing operations

   5,691    9,155    2,721    9,867    11,302 

Profit of the period

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

Profit attributable to our equity holders

   4,368    7,996    1,241    8,273    9,216 

-1-


  2019   2018(7)(8)   2017(8)   2016(6)(8)   2015(8) 

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 
  (USD millions) 

Basic earnings per share (USD)(4)

   2.21    4.06    0.72    5.05    5.64    4.62    2.21    4.05    0.72    5.05 

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

   2.21    4.04    0.69    5.05    5.64    4.41    1.94    3.77    0.69    5.05 

Diluted earnings per share (USD)(5)

   2.17    3.98    0.71    4.96    5.54    4.53    2.17    3.98    0.71    4.96 

Dividends per share (USD)

   2.05    4.33    3.85    3.95    3.52    2.02    2.05    4.33    3.85    3.95 

Dividends per share (EUR)

   1.80    3.60    3.60    3.60    3.00    1.80    1.80    3.60    3.60    3.60 

Financial Position Data

                    

Total assets

   232,103    246,126    258,381    134,635    142,550    236,648    233,868    248,208    258,381    134,635 

Equity

   71,904    80,220    81,425    45,719    54,257    84,553    71,889    80,200    81,425    45,719 

Equity attributable to our equity holders

   64,486    72,585    71,339    42,137    49,972    75,722    64,485    72,576    71,339    42,137 

Issued capital

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

Other Data

                    

Volumes (million hectoliters)

   567    613    500    457    459    561    560    605    500    457 

 

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 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 and Restricted Shares, adjusted by the effect of share options and restricted stock units 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)

Following the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016. For more information on the 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.”

(8)

The financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16Leaseson 1 January 2019 in accordance with the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The financial information for 2016 and 2015 has not been restated to reflect these changes. 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.

-2-


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 (including as a result of the COVID-19 virus pandemic), 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, or otherwise, which could result in reduced consumption or sales prices of our products, which in turn could result in lower revenue and reduced profit. Our financial condition and results of operations, as well as our future prospects, would likely be hindered by an economic downturn in any of our key markets.

Beer,Consumption of beer and other alcoholic beveragealcohol and soft drink consumptionnon-alcohol beverages 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 and core 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 market 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 as a result of 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. The COVID-19 virus pandemic has resulted in significant financial market volatility and uncertainty in recent weeks. 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.

-3-


OurFluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may lead to volatility in our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates.operations.

Although we report our consolidated results in U.S. dollars, in 2018,2019, we derived 71%69.8% 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 2018,2019, several currencies, such as the Argentinean peso, the Australian dollar, the Brazilian real, the Colombian peso, the Mexican peso and the South African rand, depreciated against the U.S. dollar, which generally strengthened during the same period. Our total consolidated revenue was USD 54.652.3 billion for the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, a decrease of USD 1.80.7 billion compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. The negative impact of unfavorable currency translation effects on our consolidated revenue in the year ended 31 December 20182019 was USD 2.32.7 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 yearyears ended 31 December 2019 and 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—A. 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 20182019 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2017”2018” 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.

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,” note 29 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018,2019, 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 water, 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, yeast, 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.

-4-


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, 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 consumption in the agricultural supply chain. Changes in precipitation patterns and the frequency of extreme weather events may affect our water supply and, as a result, itsour 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, 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 and future indebtedness through public or private financing, strategic relationships or other arrangements. There can be no assurance that the funding, if needed, will be available or provided on attractive terms.

-5-


Following the combination with SAB, the portion of our consolidated balance sheet represented by debt is significantly higher as compared to former AB InBev’s historical position and we expect it to remain so for some time. To fund the combination with SAB, former AB InBev entered into, among 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; 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-interest.

Since the combination with SAB we have undertaken further debt issuance and debt liability management exercises; see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Funding Sources—Borrowings” for more information on our financing 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 financial indebtedness related to the combination with SAB. In October 2018, Moody’s Investors Service placed AB InBev’s A3 senior unsecured ratings on review to downgrade, citing downward rating pressure due to high financial leverage and our slow path to deleveraging following the October 2016 acquisition of SAB. In December 2018, Moody’s Investors Service concluded its ratings review and assigned a definitive rating of Baa1 (stable outlook) to AB InBev’s long-term debt obligations. As of the date of this annual report, our credit rating from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) Global Ratings wasA- for long-term obligations andA-2 for short-term obligations, with a Negativestable outlook, and our credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service was Baa1 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 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 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.

-6-


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.rates or by the future discontinuance of certain interest rate benchmarks.

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 2018,2019, after certain hedging and fair value adjustments, USD 79.7 billion, or 1.8%9.4%, of our interest-bearing financial liabilities (which include loans, borrowings and bank overdrafts) bore a variable interest rate, while USD 102.993.4 billion, or 98.2%90.6%, 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,” note 29 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 for further details on our approach, currency and interest rate risk.

In addition, our variable rate indebtedness and interest rate swap agreements may use the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”), or other benchmarks as a reference for establishing the interest rate. On 27 July 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced that it will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of the LIBOR benchmark after 2021 and, on 12 July 2018, announced that the LIBOR benchmark may cease to be a regulated benchmark under the relevant European legislation. Such announcements indicate that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis (or at all) cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. Separate workstreams are also underway in Europe to reform EURIBOR using a hybrid methodology and to provide a fallback by reference to a euro risk-free rate (based on a euro overnight risk-free rate as adjusted by a methodology to create a term rate).

At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of any establishment of alternative reference rates or any other reforms to LIBOR and EURIBOR. Uncertainty as to the nature of such alternative reference rates or other reforms may adversely affect the trading market for LIBOR-linked securities. The potential elimination of benchmarks, such as LIBOR, the establishment of alternative reference rates or changes in the manner of administration of a benchmark could also require adjustments to the terms of our benchmark-linked securities, and may result in other consequences such as market volatility or disruption and an increase in the cost of our variable rate indebtedness.

-7-


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 effective distribution networks to deliver our products to consumers, and distributors play an important role in distributing a significant proportion of beer and other beverages. Generally, distributors purchase our products from us and thenon-sell them either to other distributors or points of sale. Such distributors are either government-controlled or privately owned but independent wholesale distributors for distribution of our products for resale to retail outlets.products. 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 obligations under the SAB settlement agreement could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.”). In certain cases, poor performance by a distributor or wholesaler is not a sufficient reason for replacement. Such distributors could engage in practices that harm our reputation as consumers look to us for the quality and availability of our products. 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,Africa; through our investment in Anadolu Efes, we have exposure to Turkey and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States,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 may have a conflict of interest with our majority-owned subsidiaries and we may not be able to resolve such conflict on terms favorable to us.

Conflicts of interest may arise between us and certain of our subsidiaries in various situations due to our status as parent company of such majority-owned subsidiaries and interests that may differ from ours. Notwithstanding policies and procedures to address the possibility of such conflicts of interest, we may not be able to resolve all such conflicts on terms favorable to us.

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We have entered into various agreements with our subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the influence that we have over such subsidiaries, we may not be able to use it to prevent them from bringing a legal claim against us in the event of a contractual breach. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Additionally, certain of our directors and/or our senior management may also be managers or senior officers in certain of our subsidiaries. Since our interests and the ones of the relevant subsidiaries are not necessarily always the same or wholly aligned, such dual mandates and other relationships with our subsidiaries or related parties may in the future result in conflicts of interest.

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, yeast, 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 any 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 or our policies.internal policies, or fails to meet certain quality standards. 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 futureidentifying suitable acquisition targets or business partners or implementing our acquisitions, divestitures, investments, or joint ventures or alliances.alliances, which may negatively impact our growth strategy.

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.

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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.

On 19 July 2019, we announced an agreement to divest our Australia business (Carlton & United Breweries) to Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. (“Asahi”) for AUD 16.0 billion, equivalent to approximately USD 11.2 billion1. The parties continue to cooperate with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) with a view to obtaining the necessary approvals and closing the transaction as soon as possible in the second quarter of 2020.

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. There is a risk that such integration will not be successful or will involve greater costs or result in fewer synergies than expected. 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 or maintain 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%25.4% (USD 13.813.3 billion) of our total revenue of USD 54.652.3 billion in 20182019 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. Furthermore, 12.4% (USD 6.5 billion) of our total revenue of USD 52.3 billion in 2019 came from our Asia Pacific listed subsidiary, Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited (“Budweiser APAC”), which, since September 2019, is not wholly owned and is listed on the Hong Kong 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.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 programprograms 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, weWe are party to an agreement with Altria Group, Inc. (“Altria”), pursuant to which we provide assistance andco-operation cooperation 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”).

1

Converted to US dollars at the December 2019 closing rate of AUD 1.423803 to USD 1.00.

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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%58.6% of our 20182019 revenue, which include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia.

Our operations in these markets and equity investments in thesedeveloping markets are subject to the customary risks of operating in developing countries, which include political instability or insurrection, human rights concerns, 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 “—OurFluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may lead to volatility in our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates.operations.”) (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 “—OurFluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may lead to volatility in our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates.operations.

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. For example, any adverse economic developments in China may have a significant impact on economies elsewhere in the world. 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.brands and our marketing efforts may be restricted by regulations.

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 reducedaffected 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.

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Moreover, our marketing efforts are subject to restrictions on the permissible advertising style, media channels and messages used. In a number of countries, for example, television is a prohibited medium for advertising beer and other alcoholicalcohol beverage products, and in other countries, television and other forms of advertising, while permitted, isare carefully regulated.regulated by a number of advertising codes and applicable laws. 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 or negative publicity resulting from regulatory action or litigation against us or comparable companies or a downturn in economic conditions.companies. 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 marketsmicrobreweries and the lackgrowth of transparency, or even certain unfair or illegal practices,the hard seltzer category. In recent years, many industries have seen disruption fromnon-traditional producers and distributors, in many cases, from digital-only competitors. Our business could be negatively affected if we are unable to anticipate changing consumer preference for such as tax evasion and corruption, may skewplatforms.

Any of the competitive environment in favor of our competitors withforegoing could have a material adverse effectseffect on our profitability or ability to operate.business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

WeDespite the precautions 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.

Inin 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.

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Negative publicity, perceived health risks, failure to provide safe working environments 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.trend.

The global policy framework shaping the regulatory space for our products has evolved, and will likely continue to evolve, and the expectations of our stakeholders will 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 the legal minimum drinking age, product labeling, 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.sugar. 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 causesleads to droughts or 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. We have announced our 2025 Sustainability Goals focused on smart agriculture, water stewardship, circular packaging and climate action. If we fail to achieve these goals for any reason, there is a risk of reputational damage. 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.

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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, ourOur 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.rights, and our ability to compete effectively may be harmed if our intellectual property rights are infringed by third parties.

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 takenendeavored to take appropriate action to protect our portfolio of intellectual property rights (including patent applications, trademark registration, domain names and domain names)ongoing enforcement actions), 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, workplace safety, transportation, distributor relationships, retail execution, sales and 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.licenses, which may have a material adverse impact on our ability to operate our businesses in these markets.

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.

TheWe 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. See “—Negative publicity, perceived health risks, failure to provide safe working environments 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.

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Furthermore, the partnership between Labatt Breweries of Canada (“Labatt”), the Canadian subsidiary of our subsidiary Ambev, and Tilray Inc. (“Tilray”) to researchnon-alcohol beverages containing tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) and cannabidiol (“CBD”), both derived from cannabis, and also to commercialize anon-alcohol CBD beverage in Canada only, could lead to increased legal, reputational and financial risks. While this partnership is currently limited to research in Canada,risks, as 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. 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.litigation, claims and disputes, which may cause us to pay significant damage awards and incur other costs.

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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018,2019, 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 alcoholicalcohol beverages and soft drinks. As an illustration, we and certain other beer and other alcoholicalcohol 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 alcoholicalcohol 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 SAB 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 combination 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 ownedmajority-owned distributorships in the U.S., (ii) not to terminate any wholesalers as a result of the 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 was approved and entered by the U.S. federal district court in the District of Columbia on 22 October 2018. Unless the court grants an 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 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.

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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 combination with SAB, and we are now in the process of fulfilling these commitments. For more information on commitments related to the 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, in connection with our previous acquisitions, various regulatory authorities have previously imposed conditions with which we are required to comply.”

We may be subject to adverse changes in taxation.taxation and other tax-related risks.

Taxation on our 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 value-added tax (“VAT”)). In many jurisdictions, these taxes make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to 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, including unrecorded or informal alcohol products. These increases also adversely affect the affordability of our products and our profitability. In recent years, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, Singapore, Peru and Argentina, among others, increased beer excise taxes. Tax increases can result in significant price increases and have a significant impact on our sales of beer. See “—Negative publicity, perceived health risks, failure to provide safe working environments 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 on beer sold for consumption in the United 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).

Proposals to increase excise or other indirect taxes 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. 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 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 Organization for EconomicCo-operation and Development (“OECD”) 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 ofWhile significant regulations interpreting the changes made by the Tax Act also depends on the future interpretationshave been implemented, additional guidance 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.

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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, in connection with our previous acquisitions, various regulatory authorities 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 on 30 November 2017, the European Commission informed us13 May 2019 published a decision concluding that certain 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 issued does not mean that the European Commission has concluded that there is an infringement.our actions restricted competition. 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.

For example, we had to obtain regulatory clearances for the combination with SAB in over 30 jurisdictions, and certain regulatory authorities imposed conditions in connection 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 combination 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 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 requirementslaws and standardsregulations applicable to our business, there is a risk that management, employees or other representatives of our subsidiaries, affiliates, associates, joint ventures or other business interests may take actions that violate applicable anti-corruption laws and regulations, that generally prohibit the making of improper payments to foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business, including applicable 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 enactedtook effect 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 respectAdditionally, in the ordinary course of the FCPA,business, we cooperatedregularly contract and deal with the U.S. Securitiesbusiness partners and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)consulting firms. Some of these third parties have been managed or controlled by former government officials. Because Brazilian authorities are conducting ongoing investigations that target certain firms and the U.S. Department of Justicebusiness partners that Ambev previously engaged, Ambev has been cited as clients 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.such investigations.

In Brazil, governmental authorities are currently investigating consulting services provided by a firm part-ownedthe third quarter of 2019, there were news reports regarding alleged leaks of statements about Ambev by a former elected government official who has been convicted of corruption and racketeering by Brazil’s highest court. Our subsidiary,consultant, Mr. Antonio Palocci, in a legal procedure to which Ambev has, in the past, hired the services ofsubsequently had access. In this consulting firm. We have reviewed our internal controls and compliance procedures in relation to these services andregard, we have not identified any evidence supporting Mr. Palocci’s claims of misconduct.illegal conduct by Ambev and remain committed to monitoring this matter.

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

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New or expanded export control regulations, economic sanctions, embargoes or other forms of trade restrictions imposed on Syria, Cuba, Iran 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’associates’ 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. These developments, or the perception that any of them could occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, and may significantly reduce global trade, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business in one or more of our key markets and results of operations.

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, aA subsidiary of our subsidiary Ambev acquired from usowns 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 2018,2019, Cervecería Bucanero S.A. sold 1.61.5 million hectoliters of beer, representing about 0.3% of our global volume of 567561 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, Title III of 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 sectionSeparately, Title IV 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. Although Title III of the Helms-Burton Act has been suspended by discretionary presidential action since its inception in 1996, on 2 May 2019, the Trump Administration activated Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, thereby allowing nationals of the United States that hold claims under the Helms-Burton Act to file suit in U.S. federal court against all persons trafficking in property confiscated by the Cuban government. Title IV of the Helms-Burton Act has been in effect since the law was passed in 1996, but no actions have been taken under that provision since 1996. The Trump Administration has announced its intention to implement Title IV of the Helms-Burton Act by denying visas to persons who traffic in confiscated property. Since 2 May 2019, as a result of the activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, we may be subject to potential U.S. litigation exposure, including claims accrued during the prior suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. Given the unprecedented activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, there is substantial uncertainty as to how the statute will be interpreted by U.S. courts. In 2009, weformer AB InBev 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 usformer AB InBev through ourits former ownership and management of Cervecería Bucanero S.A. It remains uncertain how the company. Although we have attempted to review and evaluate the validityactivation of Title III of the Helms-Burton

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Act will impact our U.S. litigation exposure with respect to this notice of claim. Furthermore, in light of the aforementioned 2009 notice of a claim duerelating to an allegedly confiscated trademark and the Trump Administration’s statements with respect to Title IV of the Helms-Burton Act,non-U.S. persons, corporate officers and principals of such persons, as well as their family members, may be subject to the uncertain underlying circumstances,denial of visas to enter the United States. Given the limited past use of this authority by the U.S. Department of State, there is substantial uncertainty as to how it will be implemented on a going-forward basis and we are currently unable to express a view as toascertain how more robust implementation of the validity of such claim or as to the claimants’ standing to pursue it.provision may affect us.

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 toughermore difficult 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 clientscustomers 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 International Brotherhood of Teamsters. We recently completed negotiations of new five-year agreements with the Teamsters, which will expire on 29 February 2024.

Information technology failures, including those that affect the privacy and security of sensitive customer and business information, could damage our 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. We engage in ecommercee-commerce in nearly two dozen countries, which includes direct sales to some customers. Additionally, a significant portion of the communication between our personnel, customers

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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. Unauthorized or accidental access to, or destruction, loss, alteration, disclosure, misuse, falsification or unavailability of, information could result in violations of data privacy laws and regulations, damage to our reputation or our competitive advantage, loss of opportunities to acquire or divest of businesses or brands and loss of ability to commercialize products developed through research and development efforts and, therefore, could have a negative impact on net operating revenues. More generally, technology disruptions can have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

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 entered into various information technology services agreements pursuant to which our information technology is partially outsourced to leading third-party vendors, and we may share information about our company, customers, operations and employees with vendors that assist with certain aspects of our business. Like us, these third parties are subject to risks imposed by data breaches and cyber-attacks and other events or actions that could damage, disrupt or close down their networks or systems. Security processes, protocols and standards that we have implemented and contractual provisions requiring security measures that we may have sought to impose on such third parties may not be sufficient or effective at preventing such events, which could result in unauthorized access to, or disruptions to, or misuse of, information or systems that are important to our business, including proprietary information, sensitive or confidential data, and other information about our operations, customers, employees and suppliers, including personal information.

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, the loss of, or failure to attract new customers, lost revenues resulting from the disruption or shutdown of computer systems, unexpected failure of devices and software in use by our IT platforms, operations or supply chain disruptions, alteration, corruption or loss of accounting financial or other data on which we rely for financial reporting and other purposes, which could cause errors or delays in our financial reporting, 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 business continuity plans and reviewing risk management processes. These protectionsRegardless of such measures, we may be compromised as a resultsuffer financial and reputational damage because of third-party security breaches, burglaries, cyberattack, errors bylost or misappropriated confidential information belonging to us, our current or former employees, our customers or employees of third-party vendors, of contractors, misappropriation of data by employees, vendorssuppliers, or unaffiliated third parties,consumers or other irregularities thatdata subjects, and may result in persons obtaining unauthorized accessbecome exposed to company datalegal action and increased regulatory oversight. We could also be required to spend significant financial and other resources to remedy the damage caused by a security breach or otherwise disrupting our business. For example, if outside parties gained access to confidential datarepair or strategicreplace networks and information and appropriated such information or made such information public, this could harm our reputation or our competitive advantage, or could expose us or our customers to a risk of loss or misuse of information. More generally, technology disruptions can have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.systems.

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 have experienced and continue to expect to experience attempted breaches of our technology systems and networks from time to time. In 2018,2019, 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.

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If we fail to comply with personal data protection laws, we could be subject to adverse publicity, government enforcement actions and/or private litigation, which could negatively affect our business and operating results.

In the ordinary course of our business, we receive, process, transmit and store information relating to identifiable individuals (“personal data”), such as employees and consumers. As a result, we are subject to various laws and regulations relating to personal data. These laws have been subject to frequent changes, and new legislation in this area may be enacted in other jurisdictions at any time. For example, we are subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which became effective in May 2018 for all member states in the EU. GDPR, as well as any other changes to existing personal data protection laws and the introduction of such laws in other jurisdictions, have subjected and may continue in the future to subject us to, among other things, additional costs and expenses and have required and may in the future require costly changes to our business practices and security systems, policies, procedures and practices. There is no assurance that our security controls over personal data, the training of employees and vendors on data privacy and data security, and the policies, procedures and practices we implemented or may implement in the future will prevent the improper disclosure of personal data. Improper disclosure of personal data in violation of GDPR and/or of other personal data protection laws could harm our reputation, subject us to government enforcement actions (including fines) or result in private litigation against us, which could negatively affect our business and operating results.

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 such as theCOVID-19 virus pandemic (or concerns over the possibility of such an emergency), earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, 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 SAB for a period of six years following the completion of the 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 2018,2019, our goodwill amounted to USD 133.3128.1 billion and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives amounted to USD 42.440.2 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.

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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 may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

Auditors of companies that are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (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.

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 combination 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 into 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.

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Furthermore, we have entered into a series of derivative contracts on our own shares to hedge (1) the risk arising from certain share-based payment programs, (2) the deferred share instrument related to the Grupo Modelo combination and (3) some share-based payments in connection with the acquisition of SAB. Most of these derivative instruments could not qualify for hedge accounting and thus changes in the fair value of the hedges are recognized in our profit or loss account for the period. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments — Equity Price Risk”. As we currently hedge the exposure for an equivalent of 99.5 million of our shares, a significant change in our share price will have a significant impact on our profit or loss account.

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

As of 13 March31 December 2019, our largest shareholder, Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev (the “Stichting”), owned 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 holdingsshareholdings in listed companies)issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market and containing various provisions, implementing into Belgian law Directive 2004/109/CE (the “Belgian Law of 2 May 2007 on the notification of significant shareholdings”)) held, in aggregate, 43.47%43.35% of our voting rights), based on the number of shares outstanding on 13 March31 December 2019, excluding the 59,862,60759,862,847 treasury shares held by us and certain of our subsidiaries Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and Mexbrew S.à.R.L.(including approximately 12.7 million2 treasury shares required to settle our obligations under Zenzele schemes) (see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review —H. Contractual Obligations and Contingencies”). 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, the Stichting has control of us. The Stichting is also able to have a significant influence on the outcome of corporate actions requiring shareholder approval, including mergers, share capital increases 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 (including the impact of COVID-19 virus pandemic) and other factors, including tax and other regulatory considerations. In particular, in light of the increased debt that resulted from completion of the 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.

2

Calculated assuming our closing share price of EUR 72.71 per share and an exchange rate of ZAR 15.777300 to EUR 1.00 as at 31 December 2019.

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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 euro 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 euro 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 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 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 SAB”SAB — Registration Rights Agreement” 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.

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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-listed companies on anon-binding basis. The Belgian Corporate Governance Code applies a “comply or explain” approach,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.

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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 U.S.-listed company to be independent while, in Belgium, only three directors need be independent. Our board currently comprises three independent directors and 12 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—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.

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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 as 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 ten consumer products companies by revenue. As a consumer-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);Michelob Ultra; and brands primarily distributed to local markets such as Bud Light and Michelob Ultra in the United States; Corona Light,Extra, 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; Carling Black Label, Castle Lager, Castle Lite and Hansa Pilsener in South Africa; Hero and Trophy in Nigeria; Safari and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; Harbin and Sedrin in China; and Cass in South Korea; and Victoria Bitter and Carlton Draught in Australia.Korea. We also produce and distribute soft drinks, particularly in Central and South America and Africa, and near beer products, such as the Rita family and Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer in the United States; and Palm Bay and Mike’s Hard Lemonade in Canada; and Lexington Hill in Australia.Canada.

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 2018,2019, we employed approximately 175,000more than 170,000 people based 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 our geographic regions. We currentlyEffective 1 January 2019, we report our results under the following sixfive regions: North America, LatinMiddle Americas, South 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 regions. 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.

Our 20182019 volumes (beer andnon-beer) were 567561 million hectoliters and our revenue amounted to USD 54.652.3 billion.

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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.“ABI.” We also have secondary listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange under the symbol ANH“ANH” and the Mexican Stock Exchange under the symbol ANB.“ANB.” ADSs representing rights to receive our Ordinary Shares are listed and trade on the NYSE under the symbol BUD.“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 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, 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 2018,2019, 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 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 LLC and perpetual rights to certain of Grupo Modelo’s beer brands in the United States. As a consequence, we 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 October 2016, we completed our 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. In connection with the combination with SAB, we transferred SAB’s business in Panama to Ambev in exchange for Ambev’s businesses in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. We also undertook certain divestitures, with the goal of proactively addressing potential regulatory considerations regarding the combination with SAB.

 

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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 transaction, we have stopped consolidating these operations and account for our investment in AB InBev Efes under the equity method.

In

On 19 July 2019, we announced an agreement to divest our Australia business (Carlton & United Breweries) to Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. (“Asahi”) for AUD 16.0 billion, equivalent to approximately USD 11.2 billion3. As part of this transaction, we will grant Asahi rights to commercialize our portfolio of global and international brands in Australia. The parties continue to cooperate with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) with a view to obtaining the necessary approvals and closing the transaction as soon as possible in the second quarter of 2020.

On 30 September 2019, we successfully completed the listing of a minority stake of our Asia Pacific subsidiary, Budweiser APAC, on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for USD 5.75 billion (including the exercise of an over-allotment option). On 3 October 2019, the over-allotment option in connection with the combination with SAB, we transferred SAB’s business in Panama to Ambev in exchange for Ambev’s businesses in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. We undertook certain divestitures, withinitial public offering of a minority stake of Budweiser APAC was fully exercised. Following the goal of proactively addressing potential regulatory considerations regarding the combination with SAB, including the following:

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

On 11 October 2016, we completed the sale of SAB’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., in a transaction valued at EUR 2,550 million on a debt free/cash-free basis.

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

On 31 March 2017, we completed the sale of SAB’s Central and Eastern European businesses in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania to Asahi for EUR 7.3 billion.

On 12 April 2017, we completed the sale of our approximately 26.4% interest in Distell Group Limited to Public Investment Corporation Limited, acting on behalffull exercise of the Government Employees Pension Fund.over-allotment option, we control 87.22% of the issued share capital of Budweiser APAC.

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

Furthermore, during 2016,2019, 2018 and 2017, and 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 175,000170,000 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 evolving needs of consumers worldwide. Our portfolio of more thanwell over 500 brands means we have beers for every type of occasion and our 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 footprint 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.

In 2018,2019, we were one of the largest consumer products companies worldwide, measured by EBITDA, as 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.

3

Converted to US dollars at the December 2019 closing rate of AUD 1.423803 to USD 1.00.

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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 43.1%41.4% of our 20182019 revenue and developing markets represented 56.9%58.6% of our 20182019 revenue. Our developing markets include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia.

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

Our strong brand portfolio addresses a broad range of demand for different types of beer, comprising three 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 recognition and appeal worldwide in a significant number of markets globally;

 

  

Multi-country brands: Building from a strong consumer base in their home market,markets, our multi-country brands, Beck’s, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Hoegaarden, Leffe and Leffe,Michelob Ultra, 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 and Victoria connect particularly well with consumers in their home markets.

With more thanwell over 500 brands, of which 1819 had an estimated retail sales valuegross revenue of over USD 1 billion in 2018,2019, we believe our portfolio is the strongest in the industry. Eight of our brands—Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Corona, Skol, Brahma, Aguila and Modelo—areModelo —are ranked among the Global Top Ten most valuable beer brands by BrandZ™BrandZ.

Our passion for brewing was evidenced by the 377498 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.develop a portfolio of brands that meet a wide breadth of consumer needs within the market, ranging in terms of price tier, flavor profiles, and brand meaning. As a result, we make clear brand choices and seek to invest behind brands thatwith strong purpose in order to build deep connections with consumers and meet their needs.consumers. We seekleverage the scale of our global footprint 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 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 9.1% of the global beer industry by volumes by 2030, up from approximately 6.8% in 2017, with beer volumes in Africa expected to grow at over twice the rate of global beer volumes between 2017 and 2030, according to Plato Logic Limited.-30-

Beer 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 SAB in the region dating back to the nineteenth century.

As a sign of our commitment to South Africa, our Ordinary Shares are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, through a secondary listing.


Strong consumer insights-driven brand development capabilities

As a consumer-focused, insights-driven company, we continue tocontinuously strive to understand the values, lifestyles and preferences of today’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 ULTRAMichelob Ultra Pure Gold Organic (United States), Budweiser Copper

Lager (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 Fire (Brazil), VictoriaVickycheladatoria Fuego (Mexico), Taurino (El Salvador), Andes Origen Blonde, Red, Black and IPA (Argentina), Patagonia Porter (Argentina), Pilsen Ñande (Paraguay), Beck’s Gold (Bolivia), Hertog Jan Enkel (Netherlands), Pure Blonde by Jupiler (Belgium), Leffe 0.0% (Belgium), and Michelob Ultra (UK) and Stella Artois Gluten Free (UK).

We believe that our internal excellence programs are a major competitive advantage. The World Class Commercial Academy 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: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: 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 combination with SAB to generate synergies and cost savings as we continue our integration with SAB. In October 2017, we further updated our synergy and cost-savings expectation from USD 2.8 billion per annum as of 31 December 2016 to USD 3.2 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 SAB as cost-savings initiatives. From this USD 3.2 billion total, USD 547 million per annum was reported by SAB as of 31 March 2016, and USD 2.4 billion was captured between 1 April 2016 and 31 December 2018. The balance of approximately USD 250 million is expected to be captured by the end of 2019. Synergies are still expected to come from:

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

brewery and distribution efficiency gains, which are 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 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, which 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 and the combination with SAB in 2016.

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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 utilizingutilized these skills and experiences with the goal of completingand completed the integration of former AB InBev and SAB in a timely fashion, with minimal disruption tofashion. On 25 October 2019, we announced the business,completion of our USD 3.2 billion synergy and maximizing the capturecost savings program on a constant currency basis as of cost synergies.August 2016. From this total, USD 547 million was reported by former SAB as of 31 March 2016, and USD 2,653 million was captured between 1 April 2016 and 30 September 2019.

Strategy

Delivering organic growth

We have a long-term focus ontop-line growth, and delivering consistent, balanced and 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-lockinginterlocking 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, mindset, 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, opportunitiesdelivered with a healthy balance between volume 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.per hectoliter. 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.

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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 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 are providing more choices for consumers around the world to 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.

Through our reach, resources and energy, we are addressing the needs of our communities by:

 

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.

 

Promoting smart drinking: We 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’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.

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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-efficiency programs such as ZBB and VPO, internal and external benchmarking, as well as from our size;

 

leverage our 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 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 2018.2019. We expect that significant growth opportunities will arise from marketing our brand portfolio through a largely complementary distribution 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, 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, Rita family, Michelob Ultra, Natural Light, Platform, Rolling Rock, Shock Top, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, Stella Artois, Virtue, Wicked Weed
Latin America West
Middle Americas  
Colombia  Beer: Bahia, Aguila family, Bogota Beer Company, Budweiser, Club Colombia family, Cola y Pola, Corona, Costeña family, Modelo Especial, Pilsen, Poker family, Redd’s, Stella Artois, Azteca, Beck’s, Brahma, Busch Light
  Non-Beer: Pony Malta, Malta Leona
EcuadorBeer: Budweiser, Club family, Pilsener family, Corona, Stella Artois, Beck’s
Non-Beer: Manantial water, Pony Malta

Country by Region(1)

Brands

El SalvadorBeer: Golden, Pilsener, Corona, Taurino, Modelo, Stella Artois, Budweiser, Bud Light
HondurasBeer: Barena, Corona, Imperial, Port Royal, SalvaVida, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light
MexicoBeer: Barrilito, Bocanegra, Bud Light, Budweiser, Corona, Corona Cero(non-alcoholic), Corona Light, Cucapá, Day of the Dead, Estrella, Goose Island, Hoegaarden, Leon, Mexicali, Michelob Ultra, Modelo Ambar, Modelo Especial, Modelo Trigo, Montejo, Negra Modelo, Pacifico, Stella Artois, Tijuana, Tropical Light, Victoria
PeruBeer: Arequipeña, Brahma, Budweiser, Corona, Cristal, Cusqueña family, Michelob Ultra, Pilsen Callao, Pilsen Trujillo, San Juan. Stella Artois

Non-Beer: Agua Tonica Backus, Guaraná Backus family, Maltin Power, San Mateo water, Viva Backus
Latin America North
BrazilBeer: Antarctica, Bohemia, Brahma, Budweiser, Colorado, Corona, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Original, Nossa, Serramalte, Skol, Skol Beats, Stella Artois
Non-Beer: Guaraná Antarctica, 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

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Country by Region(1)

Brands

  Non-Beer: 7UP, Guaraná Antarctica, Enriquillo, Coco Rico, Malta Bohemia, Malta Löwenbräu, Malta Morena, Montpellier water, Pepsi, Red Bull, Red Rock, 911, VitaMalt
EcuadorBeer: Budweiser, Club family, Pilsener family, Corona, Stella Artois, Beck’s, Suprema
Non-Beer: Manantial water, Pony Malta
El SalvadorBeer: Golden, Pilsener, Corona, Taurino, Modelo, Stella Artois, Budweiser, Corona Cero, Michelob Ultra, Santa Cruz
Non-Beer:Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Tropical, Ades, Cristal (Water), Del Valle, Monster, Powerade, Oasis (Water), Fuze Tea
Guatemala  Beer: Bass, Beck’s Blue, Brahva, Bud Light, Budweiser, Busch Light, Corona, Goose Island, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Modelo (Especial and Negra), Shock Top, Stella Artois
HondurasBeer: Barena, Corona, Imperial, Port Royal, SalvaVida, Michelob Ultra, Legacy, Barena Lime, Stella Artois
Non-Beer:Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Tropical, Fresca, Ades, Dasani (Water), Del Valle, Monster, Powerade, Vital (Water), Acti Malta, Fuze Tea
MexicoBeer: Barrilito, Bocanegra, Bud Light, Budweiser, Corona Extra, Corona Cero(non-alcoholic), Corona Light, Cucapá, Estrella, Goose Island, Guinness, Hoegaarden, Leon, Mexicali, Michelob Ultra, Modelo Ambar, Modelo Especial, Modelo Trigo, Montejo, Negra Modelo, Pacifico, Stella Artois, Tijuana, Tropical Light, Victoria, Busch Light.
Non-Beer:Nestlé Pureza Vital, Perrier, Sn. Pellegrino, Sta. María, Red Bull.
Panama  Beer: Atlas, Atlas Golden Light, Balboa family, Budweiser, Corona, Presidente, Becks, Michelob Ultra, Modelo Especial, Stella Artois
  Non-Beer: 7UP, Agua Brisa, Malta Vigor, Mirinda, Pepsi family, Pony Malta, H20, Schweppes, Canada Dry, Orange Crush, Squirt
Latin
PeruBeer: Arequipeña, Brahma, Budweiser, Corona, Cristal, Cusqueña family, Michelob Ultra, Pilsen Callao, Pilsen Trujillo, San Juan, Stella Artois
Non-Beer: Agua Tonica Backus, Guaraná Backus family, Maltin Power, San Mateo water, Viva Backus, Malta Cusqueña, Mike’s Hard
South America South  
Argentina(1)  Beer: Andes, Budweiser, Beck’s, Brahma, Corona, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Löwenbräu, Negra Modelo, Patagonia, 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, Imperial, Maltín, Paceña, Stella Artois, Taquiña,

Non-Beer: 7UP, Pepsi, Mirinda, Antárctica Guaraná, Gatorade, H2OH!
BrazilBeer: Antarctica, Bohemia, Brahma, Budweiser, Colorado, Corona, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Original, Nossa, Serramalte, Skol, Skol Beats, Stella Artois

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Country by Region(1)

Brands

Non-Beer: Guaraná Antarctica, Do Bem, Fusion, Gatorade, Lipton, Pepsi, Redbull, Água Tônica, Sukita, Soda Antarctica, Baré, H2OH!, AMA (“Água Mineral Ambev”)
Chile  Beer: Baltica, Beck’s, Becker, 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, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Löwenbräu, Norte, Ouro Fino, Patagonia, Pilsen, Stella Artois, Bud 66

Country by Region(1)

Brands

Uruguay  Beer: Beck’s, Brahma, Budweiser, Corona, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Löwenbräu, Negra Modelo, Norteña, Patagonia, Patricia, Pilsen, Quilmes, Stella Artois, Zillertal
  Non-Beer: 7UP, 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
France  Beer: Beck’s, Bud, Camden, Corona, Cubanisto, Ginette, Goose Island, Hoegaarden, Jupiler, Kwak, Leffe, Loburg, Stella Artois, Triple Karmeliet
Germany  Beer: Beck’s, Corona, Diebels, Franziskaner, Haake-Beck, Hasseröder, Löwenbräu, Spaten
Italy  Beer: Beck’s, Birra Del Borgo family, Bud, Corona, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Löwenbräu, Spaten, Stella Artois
Luxembourg  Beer: Beck’s, Diekirch, Hoegaarden, Jupiler, Leffe, Mousel, Stella Artois
Netherlands  Beer: Beck’s, Corona, Dommelsch, Hertog Jan, Hoegaarden, Jupiler, Leffe, Stella Artois
Spain  Beer: Beck’s, Budweiser, Cervezas La Virgen, Corona Cerveza, Dorada family, Franziskaner, Kelson, Leffe, Saturday, Stella Artois, Tropical family
United Kingdom  Beer: Bass, Beck’s, 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, Leffe, Löwenbräu, Mackeson, Michelob Ultra, Modelo Especial, Old Blue Last, Pacifico, Spaten, Stella Artois, Whitbread, Cidre, Magners

AFRICA

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
GhanaBeer: Castle Milk Stout, Chairman, Club Premium Lager, Club Shandy, Eagle, Stella Artois
Non-Beer: Beta Malt
LesothoBeer: Budweiser, Carling Black Label, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Castle Milk Stout, Corona, Flying Fish, Hansa Pilsener, Maluti Premium Lager, Redd’s, Stella Artois
MalawiBeer: 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
NigeriaBeer: Budweiser, Castle Lite, Eagle, Hero, Redd’s, Stella Artois, Trophy

Country by Region(1)

Brands

Non-Beer: Rootz, Beta Malt, Grand Malt
South AfricaBeer: Beck’s, Beck’s Blue, Budweiser, Brutal Fruit, Carling Black Label, Carvers Weiss, Castle 1895, Castle Lager, Castle Free, Castle Lite, Castle Lite Lime, Castle Milk Stout, Castle Milk Stout Chocolate, Corona, Flying Fish family, Hansa Pilsener, Hoegaarden, Lion Lager, No 3 Fransen Street, Leffe, Liberado, Newlands Spring, Redd’s family, Stella Artois
SwazilandeSwatini  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: Bonaqua water, Imvelo, Megeu
GhanaBeer: Castle Milk Stout, Chairman, Club Premium Lager, Club Shandy, Eagle, Stella Artois
Non-Beer: Beta Malt

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Country by Region(1)

Brands

LesothoBeer: Budweiser, Carling Black Label, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Castle Milk Stout, Corona, Flying Fish, Hansa Pilsener, Maluti Premium Lager, Redd’s, Stella Artois
MalawiBeer: 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
NigeriaBeer: Budweiser, Castle Lite, Eagle, Hero, Redd’s, Stella Artois, Trophy
Non-Beer: Rootz, Beta Malt, Grand Malt
South AfricaBeer: Beck’s, Beck’s Blue, Budweiser, Brutal Fruit, Carling Black Label, Castle Lager, Castle Free, Castle Lite, Castle Milk Stout, Castle Milk Stout Chocolate, Corona, Flying Fish family, Guinness, Hansa Pilsener, Hoegaarden, Lion Lager, No 3 Fransen Street, Leffe, Newlands Spring, Redd’s family, Stella Artois
Non-Beer: Smirnoff
Tanzania  Beer: Balimi, Budweiser, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Castle Milk Stout, Eagle, Kilimanjaro, 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, 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, Stella Artois
  Non-Beer: Chibiku, Chibuku Super, Mageu
Asia Pacific(2)  
AustraliaBeer: 4 Pines, Abbotsford Invalid Stout, Aguila, 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 Co. 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, Boxing Cat, Budweiser, Corona, Franziskanner,Franziskaner, Ginsber, Goose Island, Harbin family, Hoegaarden, Sedrin, Stella Artois
India  Beer: Beck’s Ice, Budweiser, Bud 0.0%, 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, OB Lager
Vietnam  Beer: Budweiser, Beck’s family, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Corona, Stella Artois, Zorok

 

Notes:

 

(1)

Effective 1 January 2019, we are reorganizingreorganized our regional reporting structure. We will report results in our new regional structure for the first time for the three months ending March 31, 2019. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—C. Business Segments”).

(2)

As announced on 19 July 2019, we have entered into an agreement to divest our Australia business (Carlton & United Breweries) to Asahi for AUD 16.0 billion, equivalent to approximately USD 11.2 billion. The parties continue to cooperate with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) with a view to obtaining the necessary approvals and closing the transaction as soon as possible in the second quarter of 2020.

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

 

  2018 2017 2016(2)   2019 2018(2)(3) 2017(2)(3) 

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

   15,504    28.4 15,588    27.6 15,698    34.5   15,488    29.6 15,504    29.2 15,588    28.4

Latin America West

   9,999    18.3 9,238    16.4 5,188    11.4

Latin America North

   8,990    16.5 9,775    17.3 8,461    18.6

Latin America South

   2,863    5.2 3,363    6.0 2,850    6.3

Middle Americas

   11,912    22.8 11,614    21.9 10,780    19.7

South America

   9,790    18.7 10,238    19.3 11,596    21.1

EMEA

   8,374    15.3 10,344    18.3 6,010    13.2   7,911    15.1 8,368    15.8 10,344    18.9

Asia Pacific

   8,470    15.5 7,804    13.8 6,074    13.3   6,544    12.5 6,735    12.7 6,094    11.1

Global Export and Holding Companies

   419    0.8 332    0.6 1,237    2.7   685    1.3 582    1.1 457    0.8
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total

   54,619    100.0  56,444    100.0  45,517    100.0   52,329    100.0  53,041    100.0  54,859    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)

Following completion ofEffective 1 January 2019, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAByears ended 31 December 2018 and report results2017 have been restated to reflect this allocation.

(3)

Effective 30 September 2019, the Australian operations were classified as a disposal group held for sale, and volumes ofaccounted for as discontinued operations. The figures for the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017 have been restated to reflect this change.

For a discussion of changes in revenue, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—E. Results of Operations—Year Ended 31 December 20182019 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2017—2018—Revenue” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—E. Results of Operations—Year Ended 31 December 20172018 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2016—2017—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%11.8% of consolidated volumes in 2019, 11.8% of consolidated volumes in 2018 16.4%and 17.2% of consolidated volumes in 2017 and 12.4% of consolidated volumes in 2016.2017. In terms of revenue, ournon-beer activities generated 8.2%8.3% of consolidated revenue in 20182019 compared to 10.9%8.4% in 20172018 and 9.0%7.6% in 2016,2017, based on our actual historical financial information for these periods.

 

  Beer(1)(3)   Non-Beer(4)   Consolidated   Beer(1)(3)(5)   Non-Beer(4)(5)   Consolidated(5) 
  2018   2017   2016   2018   2017   2016   2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017   2019   2018   2017   2019   2018   2017 

Volume (million hectoliters)

   505    513    438    62    100    62    567    613    500    495    494    501    66    66    104    561    560    605 

Revenue(2) (USD million)

   50,134    50,301    41,421    4,485    6,143    4,096    54,619    56,444    45,517    47,984    48,602    50,703    4,345    4,439    4,156    52,329    53,041    54,859 

 

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 near beer beverages, such as the Rita family of beverages and Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer.

(4)

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

(5)

Effective 30 September 2019, the Australian operations were classified as a disposal group held for sale, and accounted for as discontinued operations. The figures for the years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017 have been restated to reflect this change.

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Beer

Our brands are the 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 oncore-to-premium categories but are also present in the value category where the market structure in a particular country necessitates its 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 German Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law). Beck’s is brewed in various countries, including the United States.

 

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

Budweiser is one of thetop-selling beers in the United States. Globally, Budweiser volumes have grown every year since 2010, including growth of 0.5% in 2019. Budweiser sales outside the United States represented over 72.3% of global Budweiser volume in 2019, driven by strong growth in Brazil, Colombia, India and the United Kingdom. Budweiser was a sponsor of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and achieved the number 1 position in share of conversation, reaching 1.2 billion video views throughout the tournament period. Budweiser will continue this sponsorship for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and continues to support International Football year-round as the sponsor of the English Premier League and La Liga

 

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 of 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 13 countries and continues to innovate 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 2018, it was ranked number five 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.

Corona is the best-selling Mexican beer in the world and the leading beer brand in Mexico. Corona is available in more than 180 countries. In 2019, it was ranked number five 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 7090 countries worldwide.

 

Redd’sMichelob Ultra was originally launched in South Africa as a bold, crisp apple ale in 1996. It led South African Breweries’ efforts to competerolled out nationally in the cider categoryUnited States in South Africa. It is2002 and grew to become the second largest beer brand In the US in 2019, behind only Bud Light. As a golden liquid,low calorie, low carb beer associated with a fruity aromaan active lifestyle, Michelob Ultra was the fastest-growing beer brand in the United States between 2015 and 2018, according to IRI (based on volume share gains). This strong history of fresh red applessuccess has now been replicated in multiple international markets. In Canada and citrus fruit, followed through with a crisp sweet taste on the palate. Redd’sMexico, Michelob Ultra has seen 3 consecutive years of double digit growth. Michelob Ultra is also available to consumers in Redd’s Dry, Redd’s Carnival RoséChina, Honduras, El Salvador, Peru, and Redd’s Vodka Lemon.the United Kingdom.

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Stella Artois is the number one Belgian beer in the world according to Plato Logic Limited, 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. As a premium lager with roots tracing back to 1366 in the town of Leuven, Belgium, its legacy of quality and elegance is reflected in its iconic chalice and nine-step pouring ritual. The top three markets in terms of revenue for Stella Artois as of 2018 are the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil with expansion plans well under way in several new growth markets including South Africa and Mexico.

Stella Artois is the number one Belgian beer in the world according to Plato Logic Limited, 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. As a premium lager with roots tracing back to 1366 in the town of Leuven, Belgium, its legacy of quality and elegance is reflected in its iconic chalice and nine-step pouring ritual. The top three markets in terms of revenue for Stella Artois as of 2019 are the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil with expansion plans well under way in several new growth markets, including South Africa and 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 2018 was approximately 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 five brand by volume in the United States in 2018 according to IRI. Michelob Ultra was the fastest-growing beer brand in the United States between 2015 and 2018, according to IRI (based on volume share gains).

Latin America WestMiddle Americas

 

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 crisp taste and dedication to quality, Cerveza Cristal is a favorite among Peruvians.

 

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

 

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

Latin America North

 

Antarctica is the fourth-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 2018 FIFA World Cup™.

Brahma is the second-most consumed beer in Brazil, according to Plato Logic Limited. It was one of the Brazilian official sponsors of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

 

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 regional festivals such as Carnival and new products such as Skol beats and Skol hops.

LatinSouth America South

 

Quilmes is one of the leading beers 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.

-40-


EMEA

 

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

 

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

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 of 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 14 countries and continues to innovate to keep its beer “extra cold.”

 

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.

 

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 named 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 the pure waters that flow from itsice-capped peak. It is light in color with 4.5% alcohol by volume (“ABV”) and a crisp refreshing taste.

 

Safari, first brewed in Tanzania in 1977, is a full-flavored, full-bodied beer with a rich golden color and 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 todayToday it is still the mainstream category leader inspiring young Tanzanian menconsumers to follow their paths.

Trophy Lager beer is one of the top selling beers in Nigeria. Originated in 1978, Trophy has grown from a small core brand in the west of Nigeria to a strong lovemark (a brand that commands both high respect and “love” from consumers) and now expanding nationally. Sales has grown double digits over the years and Trophy now contributes 40% of AB InBev’s Beer business in Nigeria. Trophy is known as the honorable beer that accords respect to Nigerian consumers and Nigeria.

Asia Pacific

 

Cass is the market leader in South Korea.

 

Harbin is a national brand with its roots in the northeast of China.

 

Carlton DraughtSedrin is a traditional, full-strength lager and Australia’s highest-selling tap beer.strong regional brand that originated in China’s Fujian province.

 

-41-


Victoria BitterHaywards was first brewedoriginally launched in India in 1974, and is one of the biggest core lager brands in India with two variants (Haywards 5000 and Haywards 2000). It is a full bodied, strong beer (~7% ABV) that caters to the 80% strong beer segment in the 1850s by the founder of Victoria Brewery. Today, it is brewedcountry with a unique combinationbrand positioning that supports and encourages the strength of ingredients, including Australian pale malt, the brewery’s own special yeast and “Prideresolve of Ringwood” hops grown in Victoria and Tasmania.hard working consumers.

In certain markets, we also distribute products of other brewers under licenses, such as Kirin in the United States. Within Europe, Compañía Cervecera de Canarias (in the Canary Islands) has an agreement in force to distribute Guinness in the Canary Islands.

Following the 50:50 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 SUNAB InBev in Russia and SUN InBev Ukraine, bothEfes, our combined under AB InBevbusiness with Anadolu 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 1930 brands. As of 2018,2019, six of our markets—China, Colombia, Australia,Costa Rica, Panama, HondurasBarbados 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 82%84.5% market share in thenon-alcoholic beer category in 2018,2019, according to AC Nielsen. Our additionalnon-alcohol beverage brands include Bud Prohibition in Canada and the UK, Beck’s NA in the United States, Canada, the UK and Germany, Jupiler 00 in Belgium and Castle Free in South Africa. See “—Beer” above for more information.

Near Beer

Some of our other malt beverages have stretched beyond typical beer occasions, such as the Rita family, Naturdays, Natural Light Seltzer and Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer in the United States and Palm Bay and Mike’s Hard Lemonade in Canada and Lexington Hill in Australia.Canada. These brands 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.

Non-Beer

Non-Alcohol Beverages

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

Our NAB business includes both our own brands and agreements with PepsiCo, Inc. (“PepsiCo”) related to bottling and distribution of PepsiCo brands. Ambev has a long-term agreement with PepsiCo whereby it has been granted the exclusive right to bottle, sell and distribute certain PepsiCo brands in 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 Panama. In Panama, we also produce and bottle other third-party soft drink brands, such as Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Squirt and 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.

-42-


In 2018, we completed the sale of our carbonated soft drink businesses in Zambia and Botswana to The Coca-Cola Company. In related transactions,2019, we entered into agreements to sell to The Coca-Cola Company (i)completed the sale of 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 becomebecame effective in 2019 upon the closing of the El Salvador and Honduras brand divestitures.

Together with The Coca-Cola Company, we continue to work towards finalizing the terms and conditions of the agreement for The Coca-Cola Company to acquire our interest in, or the bottling operations of, our businessesbusiness in Zimbabwe and Lesotho. These transactions areThis transaction is subject to the relevant regulatory and shareholder approvals in the different jurisdictions.approvals.

We also have interests in certain water-bottling and distribution businesses in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru and throughout 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, announcedhas entered into a partnershipjoint venture with Tilray, a global player in cannabis production and distribution, to researchnon-alcohol beverages containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)THC and cannabidiol (CBD)CBD, and also to commercialize anon-alcohol CBD beverage in Canada.Canada only.

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,certain markets, including Tanzania, Uganda and the Dominican Republic, Nigeria and Tanzania.Republic.

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,e-Commerce, craft and specialties, brand experience and our incubator and investment arm, Explore.

Z-Tech

Z-Tech is our global innovation group whose mission is to catalyze the growth of small and medium businesses worldwide through technology, creating an environment where those businesses and their families can thrive for the long term.Z-Tech teams make use of an agile methodology as they define small and medium businesses’ needs, explore marketplace and financial technology solutions, validate throughproof-of-concept and pilot before scaling across the globe.

Z-Tech was created in 2019 and is currently active in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, with plans to expand to other markets in 2020.

 

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.

-43-


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.

In 2018,Effective 1 January 2019, we werehave been organized into sevensix business segments.

The business segments and their corresponding countries are:

 

  

North America: the United States and Canada;

 

  

Latin America WestMiddle Americas: the Caribbean, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Peru;

 

  

LatinSouth America North: Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica and the Caribbean;

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

 

  

EMEA: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, African Islands, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, 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 Asian 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:

 

  2018 2017 2016(1)   2019 2018(1)(2) 2017(1)(2) 

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

   111    19.6 114    18.5 117    23.4   108    19.3 111    19.8 114    18.8

Latin America West

   115    20.3 111    18.1 64    12.7

Latin America North

   115    20.3 119    19.5 118    23.6

Latin America South

   34    6.0 34    5.6 32    6.4

Middle Americas

   134    23.9 129    23.0 124    20.5

South America

   140    25.0 136    24.3 140    23.1

EMEA

   87    15.3 132    21.5 75    15.1   86    15.3 87    15.5 132    21.8

Asia Pacific

   104    18.3 102    16.6 92    18.4   93    16.6 96    17.1 94    15.5

Global Export and Holding Companies

   1    0.2 1    0.2 2    0.4   1    0.2 1    0.2 2    0.3
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total

   567    100.0  613    100.0  500    100.0   561    100.0  560    100.0  605    100.0
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:

 

(1)

Following completion ofEffective 1 January 2019, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAByears ended 31 December 2018 and report results2017 have been restated to reflect this allocation.

(2)

Effective 30 September 2019, the Australian operations were classified as a disposal group held for sale, and volumes ofaccounted for as discontinued operations. The figures for the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017 have been restated to reflect this change.

On an individual country basis, our largest markets by volume listed, during the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, in alphabetical order, were Argentina, Australia,Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, South Korea, 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-placed to address changing consumer needs in the various categories (premium, core and value) within any given market.

 

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4.

COMPETITION

We believe our largest competitors are Heineken, Carlsberg, CR SNOW, CarlsbergSnow and Molson Coors Brewing Company based on information from the Plato Logic Limited report for the calendar year 20172018 (published in December 2018)October 2019).

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 Companies in November 2008;

 

the combination with Grupo Modelo in June 2013; and

 

the combination with SAB in October 2016.

The 10 largest brewers in the world in 20172018 in terms of volume are as set out in the table below.

 

Rank  

Name

  Volume
(million
hectoliters)(1)
   

Name

  Volume
(million
hectoliters)(1)
 
1  

AB InBev

   500.8   

AB InBev

   506.5 
2  

Heineken

   234.5   

Heineken

   244.4 
3  

CR Snow

   118.2   

Carlsberg

   123.1 
4  

Carlsberg

   117.4   

CR Snow

   112.9 
5  

Molson Coors Brewing Company

   95.7   

Molson Coors Brewing Company

   92.2 
6  

Tsingtao (Group)

   79.7   

Tsingtao (Group)

   80.3 
7  

Asahi

   71.3   

Asahi

   67.8 
8  

Beijing Yanjing

   41.6   

Beijing Yanjing

   39.2 
9  

EFES

   33.1   

Castel/BGI

   34.4 
10  

Castel/BGI

   30.9   

EFES

   33.5 

 

Note:

 

(1)

Source: Plato Logic Limited report for the calendar year 20172018 (published in December 2018)October 2019). Volumes are based on calculations on total volumes of majority-owned subsidiaries, also licensed brewing. Our own beer volumes for the year ended 31 December 20182019 were 501495 million hectoliters and 508494 million hectoliters for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

In each of our regional markets, we compete against a mixture of national, regional, local and imported beer brands. In North America, Brazil and 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.

 

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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 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 11 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, yeast 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;

 

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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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018,2019, 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.

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 229 breweries and/ornon-beer plants as of 31 December 20182019 spread across our regions. Of these 229 plants, 184 produced only beer and other alcoholic malt beverages, 1613 produced only soft drinks and 2932 produced beer, other alcoholic 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 2018,2019, the number of our beverage production plants (breweries and/ornon-beer drink plants) as well as the plants’ overall capacity.

 

      2018 volumes(1)(4)   Annual engineering
capacity as of
31 December 2018(4)
       2019 volumes(1)(4)   Annual engineering
capacity as of
31 December 2019(4)
 

Business Segment

  Number of
plants as of
31 December
2018(4)
   Beer (khl)(2)   Non-Beer
(khl)(3)
   Beer (khl)(2)   Non-Beer
(khl)(3)
   Number of
plants as of
31 December
2019(4)
   Beer (khl)(2)   Non-Beer
(khl)(3)
   Beer (khl)(2)   Non-Beer
(khl)(3)
 

North America

   33    110,726    —      129,189    —      34    107,045    1,088    129,267    28,069 

Latin America West

   30    95,313    20,163    124,061    15,478 

Latin America North

   37    88,425    26,544    132,623    71,076 

Latin America South

   21    24,095    9,880    32,061    20,202 

Middle Americas

   39    110,160    23,377    149,674    83,595 

South America

   50    103,576    36,089    151,932    482 

EMEA

   49    82,859    4,317    118,342    482    51    81,592    4,297    116,563    42 

Asia Pacific

   59    104,266    —      171,607    42    55    92,018    1,150    173,156    28,069 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total(5)

   229    505,684    60,904    707,883    107,280    229    494,391    66,001    720,591    112,188 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

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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 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 20182019 beer volumes of 0.50.7 million hectoliters.

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 2018.2019.

 

Type of plant / facility

  Number of
plants / facilities(1)
  

Countries in which plants / facilities are located(1)

Malt plants

  21  Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, South Korea, Uganda, United States, Uruguay, Zambia

Rice / Cornand corn grits mill

  6  Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, United States

Farm and agriculture

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

Hop pellet plant

  1  Argentina

Glass bottle plants

  6  Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, United States

Bottle cap plants

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

Label plants

  3  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

  1  Brazil

Plastic Cratescrates plants

  1  Honduras

Other

  1  United States
  

 

  

 

Total

  66  —  
  

 

  

 

 

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.

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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 footprint 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 2018,2019, we invested in additional brewing, packaging and distribution capacities in multiple countries including China, Korea, Argentina, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Belgium and others 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 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 warehouses that are 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-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 consumers, 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), because of historical market practice (for example, in China 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.

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The products we brew in the United States are sold to 448423 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 2018,2019, we owned 1716 of these wholesalers and have an ownership stake in another one 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, we may 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.

 

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. Anadolu Efes has the right to brew and sell Bud in Turkey. For more information, see “Item 5. Operating and 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.

 

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Aguila, Castle Lager, 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. Ambev, our listed Brazilian subsidiary, and some of our other subsidiaries have entered into manufacturing and distribution agreements with PepsiCo. Major brands that are distributed under this agreement are Pepsi-Cola, Lipton Ice Tea, H2OH! and Gatorade. See “—2. Principal Activities andProducts—Non-Beer—Non-Alcoholic 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, Panama, Uruguay and Chile and Corona in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Guatemala, Panama 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, our combined business with Anadolu Efes.

In connection with the listing of a minority stake of Budweiser APAC on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, we have entered into a number of framework agreements granting Budweiser APAC (i) exclusive licenses to import for sale, manufacture, sell and distribute and(ii) non-exclusive licenses to advertise and promote our brands in APAC territories.

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.

We also manufacture and distribute Brahma, a brand owned by our Brazilian listed subsidiary, Ambev, in Peru and other third-party brands, such as Kirin in the United States. Ambev and some of our other subsidiaries have entered into manufacturing and distribution agreements with PepsiCo. Major brands that are distributed under this agreement are Pepsi-Cola, Lipton Ice Tea, H2OH! and Gatorade. See “—2. Principal Activities andProducts—Non-Beer—Non-Alcohol Beverages” for further information in this respect. Ambev and some of our other subsidiaries also have license agreements with us which allow them to exclusively produce, distribute and market Beck’s and Stella Artois in Brazil, Panama, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Chile, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Antigua, Bolivia, Dominica and Saint Vincent, and Budweiser in Brazil, Argentina and Canada. Ambev also distributes Budweiser in Bolivia, Paraguay, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Uruguay and Chile and Corona in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Guatemala, Panama and Canada.

 

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)Artois®), our multi-country brands (Beck’s Castle Lager, Castle Lite,®, Hoegaarden®, Leffe® and Leffe)Michelob Ultra®), and many “local champions” (Jupiler, Skol, Quilmes,(Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Modelo Especial Aguila, Pilsen, Hero, Mosi, Kilimanjaro®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin® and Harbin, to name but a few)Skol®). 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).

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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. The value-based brands approach 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 (i.e., the way the brand would behave as a person) are defined; and, finally, a positioningpurpose statement to help ensurethat clearly articulates the link between the consumer androle the brand is made.will play in the lives of consumers. 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 our growth strategy for each of our brands based on a portfolio approach, which depends on the occasion in which our products are consumed (e.g.(e.g., relaxing at home with friends; or socializing in a bar). Our portfolio of brands will vary by market, but each leverage our global platforms 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 SAB 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 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’sthird party’s intellectual property rights. A project can only move on to the next step of its development after the necessary verifications (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 222220 pending and granted patent families, each of which covers one or more 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-dispensing systems and devices, can manufacturing processes, beer packaging or novel uses for brewing materials and disruptive technologies.

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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”). Our innovation strategy is translated into our R&D priorities, 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 dispensing 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 geographic regions focusing on the short- 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, failure to provide safe working environments and associated government regulation may harm our business,” “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We could

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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” 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-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 (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 (e.g., in theoff-trade channel of certain Canadian provinces) to the common system of licensedon-trade outlets (e.g., licensed bars and restaurants) which prevails in many countries (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 violate 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, in connection with our previous acquisitions, various regulatory authorities have previously imposed conditions with which we are required to comply.”

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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 6 per barrel (equivalent to approximately 117 liters) for the first 6 million barrels of beer sold for consumption in the United 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 excise taxes in some states. In recent years, a number of countries have 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—We may be subject to adverse changes in taxation.taxation and othertax-related risks.

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” 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 20182019 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 130,00080,343 (USD 113,537)95,002) in gross revenue for 2018,2019, 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 SAB for a period of six years following the completion of the combination with SAB. We maintain a comprehensive approach to insurable risk, which is mainly divided in two general categories:

 

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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).

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 Bringing People Together for a 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.

Through our reach, resources and energy, we are addressing the needs of our communities through:

 

Improving environmental and social sustainability;

Promoting smart drinking;

 

Increasing workplace safety; 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.

2025 Sustainability Goals

We are contributing to the UNUnited Nations Sustainable Development Goals and broader global sustainable development agenda while building resilient supply chains, productive communities and a healthier environment. In March 2018, following the achievement of our 2017 Environmental Goals, we have announced 2025 Sustainability Goals, our most ambitious set of public commitments yet, which focus on four areas: renewable electricity and carbon reduction,smart agriculture, water stewardship, smart agriculturecircular packaging and circular packaging.climate action.

 

Smart agriculture: 100 percent of the company’s direct farmers will be skilled, connected and financially empowered;

 

Water stewardship: 100 percent of communities in high-stress areas will have improved water availability and quality;

 

Circular 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 goal of 25 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions across our value chain.

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 forcontinue to identify partners who can deliver breakthrough advancements in water stewardship, farmer productivity, product upcycling, responsible sourcing, green logistics and more.

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Helping entrepreneurial small businesses grow and thrive

As part of our commitment to help communities thrive, we have a responsibility to help the small businesses in our 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 value our relationships with our small business partners and recognize the challenges many face in sustaining and growing their operations, such as limited business skills and the need for affordable financial services and infrastructure. As their business partner, we believe we can help them address these barriers to unlock their entrepreneurial potential and enable us to grow together.

Our Creciendo por un Sueño (“Growing for a Dream”) program aims to 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 aim to help improve their livelihoods and business operations.

Our business in South Africa has an ambitious goal to create 10,000 jobs. Working in partnership withnon-governmental organizations (“NGOs”), the South African government and the private sector, the program supports entrepreneurs to develop and grow their businesses, and offers opportunities for them to become part of the South African Breweries’ supply chain. The initiative aims to contribute to South Africa’s national agenda of growing the economy through the provision of jobs and offers tailored support for youth and women.

SmartBarleyCreating resilient agricultural supply chains

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. In 2019 we continued to build resilient agricultural systems, by working with over 20,000 farmers across 13 countries to support the growth of our six priority crops (barley, cassava, hops, maize, rice and sorghum). We developedhave put in place programs and partnerships to ensure that our SmartBarley program to cultivate quality, local barley by accelerating innovations that can improve crop productivity and enhance grower livelihoods. Since 2014, over 7,000 farmers have participatedaccess to good seed varieties and technical training (skilled), improved insights and data (connected), and the ability to invest in thisand grow their business (financially empowered). SmartBarley has been our primary agricultural development program acrosssince 2013, currently live in 12 countries. In 2019, we partnered with Sentera to pair field-level data from SmartBarley with weather and imagery analytics to improve yield and reduce impact of climate change.

Supporting Smallholder Farmers

Agriculture is a critical source of income and livelihoods in a number of markets in Africa, where we have pioneered the use of under-commercialized local crops to create new affordable beer brands – like Eagle Lager, made with local sorghum in Uganda, and Impala, made with local cassava in Mozambique. This strategy allows us to reach new consumers while increasing incomes for local smallholder farmers. After an initial pilot in Zambia with positive results in 2018, in 2019 we partnered with a startup called BanQu to employ anSMS-based service backed by blockchain to record purchasing and sales data of our supply chain offering farmers a digital financial identity as well as sending digital payments and reducing cash transactions, and thereby lowering risk to our 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, Stella Artois has helped Water.org provide more than one million people in the developing world with access to clean water through the sale of more than 500,000 Limited-Edition Chalices and by directly donating more than USD 8 million to Water.org.Water.org In 2019, the partnership provided clean water access to 300,000 people in the developing world.

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Watershed Protection

We continue to scale our water stewardship efforts by engaging in watershed protection measures, in partnership with local stakeholders, in high-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,To date we have invested in long-term solutions across 24 communities where 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 increase 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 2016, we signed a contract to acquire 100% of our purchased electricity needs from wind power in our Mexico breweries and vertical operations by the second half of 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 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. AlsoIn 2019 we signed new renewable electricity contracts in 2018,Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Vietnam and the UK. Today, 20% of our Carltonglobal purchased electricity comes from renewable sources and United Breweries signed a contract with BayWa r.e. for a new 112MW Karadoc solar farm in Victoria, Australia.another 41% is already under contract.

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, is an important component of this effort, and increasing recycling, recovery and reuse also helps avoid loss of value.

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 multifaceted 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.

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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.

Promoting smart drinking

We 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 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.

Smart Drinking

We’reWe are 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. Our Smart Drinking commitments, and 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.

Our current 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. Our goals are also designed to be collaborative and evolving. Working in partnership with public health

bodies, civil society and governments, we aim to implement evidence-based approaches, uncover new ways to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, and act 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 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 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%) andlow-alcohol (by which we mean ABV 0.51%–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.

OurCity 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 approach. In each region, a Steering Committee was formed with local community members, including government, universities,non-governmental organizations (NGOs) NGOs and other community-based organizations.

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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 latest 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 close collaboration with public health and behavior change experts. This Toolkit is a practical guide that collates and distills information about our Global Smart Drinking Goals, behavior 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. In 2019, we launched the 2nd edition of our Global Smart Drinking Campaign Competition. This competition challenges all our brand teams across the world to develop innovative ideas for social marketing campaigns that contribute for positive behavioral change. In 2019, 45 brand teams from 23 countries competed. The winners of each business unit get the opportunity to use a percentage of the Marketing Media Budget towards the campaign.

Through ourNo- andLow-Alcohol Beerinitiative, we are offering consumers more choice, which we believe can be an important way to help reduce 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. In 2019, we launched 14 newNo- andLow-Alcohol Beer brands for a total of 86 brands in our portfolio. In 2019,No- andLow-Alcohol Beer brands accounted for 7% of our global beer volume.

OurAlcohol Health Literacy initiative exemplifies our belief in helping consumers understand why and how alcohol should be consumed within limits. We are collaborating with partners to identify 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 current evidence base for consumer labelling.

To further advance our Global Smart Drinking Goals, we established the AB InBev Foundation in 2017. The Foundation’s mission is to reduce harmful drinking globally by identifying effective programs and policies for public-private partnerships to advance positive social and behavior change. The 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, we2019, the Foundation made significant progress towards the mission of accelerating the reduction of harmful drinking: work the Foundation supported was represented at 15 conferences or panel events and 8 academic articles were published our Smart Drinking Beliefs, a set of principles and promises to guide our progress against our Smart Drinking commitments and make our vision a reality.about projects funded by the Foundation.

Investing in road safety

As a major user of roads around the world and its largest brewer, we are committed to delivering safer roads for all, 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 UNUnited Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). and the ambitious target of halving the global number of deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2020.

Safe roads are also a high priority for governments and advocacy groups, and we are strengthening the impact of 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 Also, our partnership with the United Nation’s objectiveNations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) that continued across 2019 and led to the launch of reducing road traffic collisions in the world by 50% by 2020.Management Practices for Safer Roads Toolkit.

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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 missnear-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 forRespecting human rights is a core tenet ofnon-negotiable commitment for our business ethos. Ourbusiness. We have been a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact since 2005 and are committed to the principles and guidance contained in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In 2019, we refreshed our Global Human Rights Policy sets out the standards and expectations we hold for promoting human rights, and we have developed policiescontinue to address harassmentparticipate in industry and discrimination, as well as diversity and inclusion. We also work with our suppliersNGO initiatives that seek to ensure that our approach to human rights extends to our supply chain. Through continued engagement with stakeholders, we are committed to continuously enhancing ourimprove business’ 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 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 135,000180,000 people in volunteering activities in their communities, including many of our colleagues. In Brazil, our Volunteering Program VOA provided management training to 185115 NGOs leveraging the management expertise of 191554 of our colleagues.colleagues, impacting over 5 million people indirectly. 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.

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Supporting disaster response

In 2018,2019, 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 BuschAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is the parent company of the AB InBev Group. Our most significant subsidiaries (as of 31 December 2018)2019) are:

 

Subsidiary Name

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

Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC

  Delaware,
U.S.A.
   100  100

One Busch Place

St. Louis, MO 63118

Ambev S.A.

  Brazil   61.9  61.9

Rua Dr. Renato Paes de Barros 1017

3° Andar Itaim Bibi

São Paulo, Brazil

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

  Mexico   100  100

Javier Barros Sierra No. 555 Piso 3

Zedec Santa Fe, 01210 Mexico City, Mexico

ABI SAB Group Holding Limited

  United Kingdom   100  100

Bureau, 90 Fetter Lane

London EC4A 1EN, United Kingdom

Subsidiary Name

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

Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC

  Delaware,
U.S.A.
   100  100

One Busch Place

St. Louis, MO 63118

Ambev S.A.

  Brazil   61.9  61.9

Rua Dr. Renato Paes de Barros 1017

3° Andar Itaim Bibi

São Paulo, Brazil

Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited

  Cayman Islands   87.22  87.22

1823, 18/F

Soundwill Plaza II – Mid Town

1-29 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay

Hong Kong

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

  Mexico   100  100

Cerrada de Palomas 22, 6th Floor, Reforma Social

Miguel Hidalgo

1650 Mexico City, Mexico

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 3637 of our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

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D. PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

For a further discussion of property, plants and equipment, see “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,” “—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 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018,2019, 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 restated 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018,2019, 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

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 and widespread health emergencies 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 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 are described below. See also note 6 and note 8 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 included in this Form20-F.

Grupo Modelo Combination

In December 2016, in connection with our obligations under the final judgement issued in connection with our purchase of Grupo Modelo, 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.

Acquisition of SAB

The combination with SAB was implemented through a series of steps, including the acquisition of SAB by Newbelco, a newly incorporated Belgian company formed for the purposes of the combination with SAB, and completed on 10 October 2016. During the final step of the combination with SAB, former AB InBev merged into Newbelco (the “Belgian Merger”) so that, following completion of the 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 combination with SAB, each SAB shareholder was entitled to receive GBP 45.00 in cash in respect of each SAB share. The combination with SAB also included a partial share alternative (the “Partial Share Alternative”), under which SAB shareholders could elect to receive GBP 4.6588 in cash and 0.483969 Restricted Shares in respect of each SAB share in lieu of the full cash consideration to which they would otherwise be entitled under the combination 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 SAB shares. Altria and BEVCO Ltd. (“BEVCO”), which held in aggregate approximately 40% of the ordinary share capital of SAB, gave irrevocable undertakings to us to elect for the Partial Share Alternative in respect of their entire beneficial holdings in SAB.

The combination 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 SAB 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 SAB pursuant to a U.K. law court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement between SAB and the applicable shareholders of SAB 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 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 canceled except for the equivalent of 85,000,000 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 canceled 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 combination with SAB.

On 10 October 2016, we announced the completion of the Belgian Merger and the successful completion of the combination with SAB.

As a result of the Belgian Merger, former AB InBev merged into Newbelco, and Newbelco became 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 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.-63-


We now own 100% of the 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 59,862,607 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.SAB-related divestitures

In accordance with IFRS, the combination 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 acquirer (Newbelco) was considered 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 SAB 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 

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 on the day of the closing of the 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 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 transaction costs incurredOn 31 March 2017, 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 72.4 billion of goodwill allocated primarily to the businesses in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru,the rest of Middle Americas, Australia, South Africa and other African, Asia Pacific and Latin American countries.the rest of Africa. 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 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, azero-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 notes 6 and 14 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.

Completion of the disposal 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 3.15 billion, after customary adjustments. We stopped consolidating CCBA in our consolidated financial statements as of that 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 Gutsche Family Investments. It includes the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, Mayotte and Comoros. Following completion, CCBA will remain subject to the agreement reached with the South African government and the South African Competition Authorities on several conditions, all of which were previously announced.

In 2018, we completed the sale of our carbonated soft drink businesses in Zambia and Botswana to The Coca-Cola Company. In related transactions,2019, we entered into agreements to sell to The Coca-Cola Company (i)completed the sale of 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 becomebecame effective in 2019 upon the closing of the El Salvador and Honduras brand divestitures.

Together with The Coca-Cola Company, we continue to work towards finalizing the terms and conditions of the agreement for The Coca-Cola Company to acquire our interest in, or the bottling operations of, our businessesbusiness in Zimbabwe and Lesotho. These transactions areThis transaction is subject to the relevant regulatory and shareholder approvals in the different jurisdictions.approvals.

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Merger of Businesses in Russia and Ukraine with Anadolu Efes

On 30 March 2018, we announced the completion 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 Anadolu 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 the equity method.

Announced Divestiture of Australia Business to Asahi

On 19 July 2019, we announced an agreement to divest our Australia business (Carlton & United Breweries) to Asahi for AUD 16.0 billion, equivalent to approximately USD 11.2 billion4. As part of this transaction, we will grant Asahi rights to commercialize our portfolio of global and international brands in Australia. The parties continue to cooperate with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) with a view to obtaining the necessary approvals and closing the transaction as soon as possible in the second quarter of 2020.

Effective 30 September 2019, we classified the assets and liabilities associated with the Australian operations as assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. In addition, since the results of the Australian operations represent a separate major line of business, these are now accounted for as discontinued operations as required by IFRS 5 and presented in a separate line in the consolidated income statement (“profit from discontinued operations”).

Listing of Budweiser APAC on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange

On 30 September 2019, we successfully completed the listing of a minority stake of our Asia Pacific subsidiary, Budweiser APAC, on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for USD 5.0 billion. On 3 October 2019, an over-allotment option in connection with the initial public offering of a minority stake of Budweiser APAC was fully exercised, resulting in additional gross proceeds of USD 750 million. Following the full exercise of the over-allotment option, we control 87.22% of the issued share capital of Budweiser APAC.

Other Acquisitions, DivestitureDivestitures and Structural Changes

During 2016, we completed the acquisition of the Canadian rights to a range of primarily near 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.Compañía Industrial Cervecería S.A (“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.

Upon the combination with SAB, we maintained South African Breweries’ Zenzele share-scheme which supports broad-based black economic empowerment(B-BBEE) and provides opportunities for black South Africans (including employees and SAB retailers) to participate as shareholders. The Zenzele share-scheme originally implemented by SAB in 2010, was amended at the time of the SAB combination and will expire in April 2020. We will settle the obligations that arise under the Zenzele share-scheme upon its expiration using our treasury shares.

4

Converted at the December 2019 closing rate.

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The obligation is estimated to be approximately ZAR 9.8 billion (USD 0.7 billion5). The number of our shares required to settle the obligation will depend on our share price and ZAR to Euro exchange rate at the time of the settlement. The settlement would be equivalent to 8.5 million of our shares assuming our share price and the ZAR Euro exchange rate as at 31 December 20197.

As part of the SAB transaction, we made a commitment to the South African Government and Competition Authorities to create a newB-BBEE scheme upon maturity in 2020 of SAB’s current Zenzele Scheme. In order to create the newB-BBEE scheme the following steps will be undertaken:

The new scheme will be implemented through the listing of a NewCo (which will be called Zenzele Kabili) on the Johannesburg Stock ExchangeB-BBEE Exchange;

The NewCo will hold unencumbered our shares;

Existing Zenzele participants (employees, retailers and the SAB Foundation) will be given an option to reinvest a portion of their Zenzele payout into the Newco;

A new Employee Share Plan, funded by AB InBev, will subscribe for NewCo shares.

The new scheme is estimated to require ZAR 4.4 billion ZAR (USD 0.3 billion6) in facilitation and notional vendor funding. The settlement would be equivalent to 3.8 million of our shares assuming the share price and the ZAR Euro exchange rate as at 31 December 20197 and it will be funded with our treasury shares. This scheme arrangement meets the criteria under IFRS 2 to be classified as equity settled.

During 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2018,2019, we undertook a series of additional acquisitions and disposals with no significant impact to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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 LatinMiddle Americas, South 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 LatinSouth America North and Latin America South regionsregion and in certain countries within the EMEA region. As measured by the National Consumer Price Index (Indice Nacional de Preços ao Consumidor), Brazilian inflation was approximately 3.43% in 2018. 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 (see “—Foreign Currency”). As measured by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos, Argentine inflation was approximately 31.8%53.8% in 2018.2019. 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.

5

Converted at the December 2019 closing rate.

6

Converted at the December 2019 closing rate.

7

Assuming the December 2019 closing share price of 72.71 euro per share and 31 December 2019 ZAR per Euro exchange rate of 15.777300.

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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”) above).

The main raw materials used in our beer and other alcoholic malt beverage production are malted barley, corn grits, corn syrup, rice, hops, yeast 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.

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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;

 

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).

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 in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We may be subject to adverse changes in taxation.taxation and othertax-related risks.

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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-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.

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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 2018,2019, several currencies, such as the Argentinean peso, the Australian dollar, the Brazilian real, the Colombian peso and the South African rand, depreciated against the U.S. dollar. Our total consolidated revenue was USD 54.652.3 billion for the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, a decrease of USD 1.80.7 billion compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. The negative impact of unfavorable currency translation effects, including hyperinflation accounting impact, on our consolidated revenue in the year ended 31 December 20182019 was USD 2.32.7 billion, primarily as a result of the impact of the currencies listed aboveabove.

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 Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may lead to volatility in our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates”operations.” 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 LatinSouth America North and Latin America South regionsregion (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 WestMiddle Americas 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.

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Based on 20182019 information, for example, we realized 52%51% of our total 20182019 volumes in EuropeEMEA in the second and third quarters, compared to 48%49% in the first and fourth quarters of the year, whereas in LatinSouth America, South, we realized 39%45% of our sales volume in the second and third quarters, compared to 61%55% 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.

Widespread Health Emergencies

Our results of operations may be negatively impacted by widespread health emergencies (or concerns over the possibility of such an emergency), such as theCOVID-19 virus pandemic and the actions taken in response to it, which can cause a decline in consumer demand for our products. See “Item 5. Results of Operations—J. Outlook and Trend Information” for further details regarding the effects of theCOVID-19 virus pandemic on our business.

B. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

For a summary of all of our significant accounting policies, see note 3 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 included in this Form20-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

GivenEffective 1 January 2019, we reorganized our regional reporting structure. As of that date, our results are reported under the transformational nature of our combination with SAB 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 offollowing five regions: North America, LatinMiddle Americas, South 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.

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. The former SAB geographies were included in our existing six 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 we have operations following the combination with SAB were allocated to the respective regions in the segment reporting.

We continue to separately report the results of Global Export and Holding Companies, which includes our global headquartersCompanies. The key changes in the company’s structure are as follows: (i) the new Middle Americas region combines the former Latin America West region and the export businessesDominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Caribbean, which were previously reported in Latin America North region and (ii) the new South America region combines the former Latin America South region and Brazil, which was previously reported in Latin America North region. The financial information presented in this Form20-F for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect those segment changes.

Effective 30 September 2019, following the announcement on 19 July 2019 of the agreement to divest CUB, our Australian subsidiary, to Asahi, we classified the assets and liabilities associated with the Australian operations as assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. In addition, since the results of the Australian operations represent a separate major line of business, these are now accounted for as discontinued operations as required by IFRS 5 and presented in a separate line in the consolidated income statement (“profit from discontinued operations”). Consequently, the 2018 and 2017 consolidated income statements have not been allocatedrestated as if the classification had been applied as of 1 January 2018 and 1 January 2017, respectively, to exclude the regions, and also includesresults of the interim supply agreement with Constellation Brands, Inc. only until its termination in December 2016.Australian operations.

The results of the Central and Eastern European businesses, acquired through the SAB 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 included in this Form20-F.

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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 appliedwith effect as of 1 January 2018;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;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.conversion.

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 restated 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

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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 restated 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.

EffectiveThe following standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board became effective for annual periods beginning on 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 March2019:

IFRS 16Leasesreplaces the prior lease accounting requirements and introduces significant changes to lessee accounting as it removes the distinction between operating and finance leases under IAS 17Leases and related interpretations and requires a lessee to recognize aright-of-use asset and a lease liability at lease commencement date. IFRS 16 also requires to recognize a depreciation charge related to theright-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, we have amended the consolidated cash flow statement presentation in order 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, we continue to recognize a lease expense on a straight-line basis as permitted by IFRS 16. Where we are the lessor, we continue to classify leases as either finance leases or operating leases and account for those two types of leases differently. In addition, we have applied 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 related interpretations will continue to apply to the leases entered or modified before 1 January 2019. Upon transition to IFRS 16, lease liabilities are measured at the present value of future lease payments discounted using the incremental borrowing rates at the date of initial application. We have chosen the full retrospective application of IFRS 16 and, consequently, we have restated the financial information for 2018 and 2017 included in this Form20-F.

Effective 1 January 2019, we adopted IFRIC 23Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments and have elected to apply IFRIC 23 retrospectively. The cumulative effect of the interpretation was recognized at the date of initial application and we have not restated comparative periods in the year of initial application. We reviewed the income tax treatments in order to determine whether the interpretation could have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. In that respect, as of 31 December 2019, we reclassified USD 573 million of our existing income tax provisions into income tax liabilities, consistent with the current discussions held at the IFRS Interpretation Committee, which concluded that an entity is required to present assets and liabilities for uncertain tax treatments as current tax assets/liabilities or deferred tax assets/liabilities.

For additional information, see note 3 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue 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 satisfied, 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;

 

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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 goods is measured at the amount that reflects the best estimate of the consideration expected to receivebe received 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, we estimate the amount of consideration to which we 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.

In many jurisdictions, excise taxes make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to our customers. The aggregate deduction from revenue recorded by us in relation to these taxes was approximately USD 14.813.4 billion, USD 15.413.9 billion and USD 11.614.5 billion for the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016,2017, 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 SAB.

As of 31 December 2018,2019, our total goodwill amounted to USD 133.3128.1 billion, and our intangible assets with indefinite useful lives amounted to USD 42.440.2 billion.

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 72.4 billion of goodwill allocated primarily to the businesses in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Australia,the rest of Middle Americas, South Africa and otherthe rest of the 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.

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 whichthat 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.

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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 cash-generating units and the cash-generating units showing a highan invested capital to EBITDA, as defined, multiple above 9x, and valuation multiples for our other cash-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. If our current assumptions and estimates, including projected revenues growth rates, competitive and consumer trends, weighted average cost of capital, terminal growth rates, and other market factors, are not met, or if valuation factors outside of our control, change unfavorably, the estimated fair value of the goodwill could be adversely affected, leading to a potential impairment in the future. Impairments can also occur when we decide to dispose of assets.

The key judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the discounted free cash flow calculations are generally as follows:

 

In the first 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 cash-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 seven years of the model, data from the strategic plan is extrapolated generally using simplified assumptions such as macro-economic and industry assumptions, variable cost per hectoliter and fixed cost linked to inflation, as obtained from external sources;

 

Cash flows after the first10-year period are extrapolated generally using expected annual long-term gross domestic product, (GDP) growth rates, based on external sources, in order to calculate the terminal value, considering sensitivities on this metric;

 

Projections are discounted at the cash-generating unit’s weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), considering sensitivities on this metric; and

 

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%between 3% and 4%5%.

TheFor the cash generating units subject to a discounted free cash flow approach, 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
   Year ended
31 December 2019
  Year ended
31 December 2018
 

Colombia

   6  7

Rest of Middle Americas

   9  9

South Africa

   7  8

Rest of Africa

   10  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).

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.

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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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

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-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. 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

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.

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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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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 expectedExpected volatility we excluded theis based on historical volatility measured during the period 15 July 2008 to 30 April 2009 given the extreme market conditions experienced during thatcalculated over a10-year 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

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” and in note 32 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 20172018 and for the three years ended 31 December 2018,2019, 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.

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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 are 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.

activities.

SinceEffectiveOctober 2016,January 2019, we havereorganized our regional reporting structure. As of that date, our results are reported our financial results under the following sixfive regions: North America, LatinMiddle Americas, South America, West, Latin America North, Latin America 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 ExportThe key changes in the company’s structure are as follows: (i) the new Middle Americas region combines the former Latin America

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West region and Holding Companies comprise our seven segmentsthe 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 combines the former Latin America South region and Brazil, which was previously reported in Latin America North region. The financial information 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 combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB2018 and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.2017 included in this Form20-F has been restated to reflect those segment changes.

Following the 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 announcedFollowing the announcement on 2619 July 2018, effective 1 January 2019 of the agreement to divest CUB to Asahi, we are reorganizing our regional reporting structure. Going forward, our results will be reported underclassified the following five regions: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA,assets and Asia Pacific. We will continue to separately reportliabilities associated with the Australian operations as assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. In addition, since the results of Global Exportthe Australian operations represent a separate major line of business, these are now accounted for as discontinued operations as required by IFRS 5 and Holding Companies. The key changespresented in a separate line in the company’s structure areconsolidated income statement (“profit from discontinued operations”). Consequently, the 2018 and 2017 consolidated results have been restated as follows: (i)if the new Middle Americas region will combineclassification had been applied as of 1 January 2017 to exclude the current Latin America West region andresults of 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.Australian operations.

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 2018, Latin America North2019, Middle Americas accounted for 20.3%23.9% of our consolidated volumes; North America for 19.5%19.3%; Asia Pacific for 18.4%for16.6%; EMEA for 15.4%15.3%; LatinSouth America West for 20.3%; Latin America South for 6.0%25.0%; and Global Export and Holding Companies for 0.1%0.2%. 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 2018)2019); Grupo Modelo (wholly owned); SAB (wholly owned)Budweiser APAC (87.22% owned as of 31 December 2019); and their respective subsidiaries.

Throughout the world, we are primarily active in the beer business. However, during 2018,2019, we also hadnon-beer activities (primarily consisting of soft drinks) within Latin America North,Middle Americas, particularly in Brazil and the Dominican Republic; within Latin America South, particularly in Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay; within Latin America West, particularly inRepublic, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia and Peru; within South America, particularly in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Uruguay; 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. “Our continued commitment tonon-beer activities in 2019 was also evidenced by our creation of a new senior leadership position, ChiefNon-Alcohol Beverages Officer, focused on accelerating growth in our existingnon-alcohol business.

D. EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Following the completion of the 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 for more information.

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E. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended 31 December 20182019 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 20172018

The table below presents our condensed consolidated results of operations for the yearyears ended 31 December 20182019 and 2017.2018.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018(3)
   Change 
  (USD million, except volumes)   (%)(1)   (USD million, except volumes)   (%)(1) 

Volumes (thousand hectoliters)

   567,066    612,572    (7.4   561,427    559,819    0.3 

Revenue

   54,619    56,444    (3.2   52,329    53,041    (1.3

Cost of sales

   (20,359   (21,386   4.8    (20,362   (19,933   (2.2

Gross profit

   34,259    35,058    (2.3   31,967    33,108    (3.4

Selling, General and Administrative expenses

   (17,118   (18,099   5.4    (16,421   (16,807   2.3 

Other operating income/(expenses)

   680    854    (20.4   875    805    8.7 

Exceptional items

   (715   (662   (8.0   (323   (692   53.3 

Profit from operations

   17,106    17,152    (0.3   16,098    16,414    (1.9

EBITDA, as defined(2)

   21,366    21,429    (0.3   20,755    21,038    (1.3

 

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.

(3)

Our condensed consolidated results of operations for 2018 have been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the figures reported above.

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.

The table below summarizes the volume evolution by business segment.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)(3)
   Change 
  (thousand hectoliters)   (%)(1)   (thousand hectoliters)   (%)(1) 

North America

   110,726    113,496    (2.4   108,133    110,726    (2.3

Latin America West

   115,476    110,625    4.4 

Latin America North

   114,969    119,374    (3.7

Latin America South

   33,975    34,062    (0.3

Middle Americas

   133,538    128,803    3.7 

South America

   139,664    135,618    3.0 

EMEA

   87,176    131,692    (33.8   85,888    87,135    (1.4

Asia Pacific

   104,266    101,986    2.2    93,168    96,116    (3.1

Global Export and Holding Companies

   478    1,336    (64.2   1,036    1,422    (27.1
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   567,066    612,572    (7.4   561,427    559,819    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 January 2019, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the years ended 31 December 2019 and 2018 have been restated to reflect this allocation.

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(3)

Effective 30 September 2019, the Australian operations were classified as a disposal group held for sale, and accounted for as discontinued operations and are not included in the figures reported above. The figures for the year ended 31 December 2018 have been restated to reflect this change.

Our consolidated volumes were 567.1561.4 million hectoliters for the year ended 31 December 2018.2019. This represented a decreasean increase of 45.51.6 million hectoliters, or 7.4%0.3%, as compared to our consolidated volumes for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. The results for the year ended 31 December 20182019 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20172018 and 2018.2019.

During 2019 we undertook a series of acquisitions and disposals with no significant individual impact in our consolidated financial statements (the “2019 acquisitions and disposals”).

On 30 March 2018, we completed the 50:50 merger of our and Anadolu Efes’ existing Russia and Ukraine businesses. 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 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 Baltica brands and other commitments to CCU 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, China, Australia and Europe (collectively, the “2017 acquisitions and disposals” and, together with the 20182019 acquisitions and disposals, the “20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals”). The 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals negatively impacted our consolidated volumes by 47.24.6 million hectoliters for the year ended 31 December 20182019 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 included in this Form20-F.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals described above, total volumes increased 0.3%1.1% in the year ended 31 December 20182019 compared to our volumes for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

North America

In the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, our volumes in North America decreased by 2.82.6 million hectoliters, or 2.4%2.3%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals described above, our total volumes decreased by 2.5%2.4% compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

OnIn the same basis,United States, we continued to focus on our commercial strategy, putting consumers first and rebalancing our portfolio through innovation and premiumization. We estimate that the United States industry’sindustry beersales-to-retailers adjusted for the number of selling days, declined by 1.8%1.4% in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017. We estimate that our shipment volumes in the United States and our beer2019. Our ownsales-to-retailers adjusted for the number of selling days, declinedwere down by 2.6% and 2.7%, respectively,2.4% in line with2019, while our expectations that beersales-to-retailers andsales-to-wholesalers converge over time.

On the same basis, overall, we continue to see the progress of our commercial strategy, with an estimated decline inwere down by 2.3%. Our total market share of 40declined an estimated 50 bps in 2019, predominantly driven by mix due to the year ended 31 December 2018growth of hard seltzer within the flavored malt beverage category, in which we currently under-index. The hard seltzer segment is drawing new consumers to the malt beverage category and we are increasing investment behind our brands to accelerate our growth in the segment. Bon Viv and Natural Light Seltzer are growing at a strong rate. We are confident that we can leverage our strong portfolio, coupled with ourbest-in-class brewing capabilities and distribution network, to accelerate our momentum in this fast-growing segment. In 2019, our market share excluding the flavored malt beverage category declined by an estimated decline10 bps, an improvement in trend of approximately 20 bps during the last quarter.

On the same basis, ourfrom 2018. Our above core portfolio continues to outperform the industry and accelerated share gains togained an estimated 90 bps of total share in the year ended 31 December 2018, as compared2019, due to 50 bps in the year ended 31 December 2017, based on our estimates, driven bystrong performances from 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 2018 innovation pipeline contributed an estimated 50% of total industry innovation volume, up from 10% as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, and included Michelob Ultra Pure Gold, our craft portfolio

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and our innovation pipeline. Michelob Ultra continues to grow by double-digits and is now the second largest brand in the country by retail sales, according to IRI. Michelob Ultra Pure Gold grew by triple-digits in 2019, while our craft portfolio grew by more than 20%, gaining share within the craft segment according to IRI. We estimate our innovations contributed approximately half of the total innovation volume in the industry once again this year, led by Naturdays, Michelob Ultra Infusions and Natural Light Seltzer. Our mainstream brands lost an estimated 140 bps of market share in 2019, as consumers continue totrade-up to higher price tiers. Within the mainstream segment, our market share declined by an estimated 15 bps in 2019, which compares to an estimated 35 bps decline in 2018, a trend improvement of approximately 20 bps. Share declines of Bud Light Orange and Budweiser were partially offset by share gains of our value portfolio, led by the Budweiser Reserve series. These innovations performed wellNatural Light family (excluding Natural Light Seltzer, which is not included in the year ended 31 December 2018 and continuemainstream segment).

In Canada, our volumes declined primarily due to a weak beer industry. Our High End Company continues to gain share based onof the premium segment, led by share gains from our estimates, enhancingpremium import brands, including Corona and Hoegaarden, and strong volume growth from our craft portfolio. In the premiumization of our portfolio.

On the same basis, Budweiser andcore segment, Bud Light are performing better than priorgrew share for the 24th consecutive year trends within their segments, based on our estimates. However,in 2019, and in 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,plus segment, Michelob Ultra and Michelob Ultra Pure Gold. Budweiser led the conversation on sustainability and renewable energy, and Bud Light highlighted the brand’s commitmentcontinued to quality and transparency for consumers, following our announcement in January that it would be the firstfastest growing beer brand in the United States to add a comprehensiveon-pack serving facts and ingredient label.country.

On the same basis, in Canada, our volumes decreased by low single digits in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 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 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 WestMiddle Americas

In the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, our volumes in Latin America WestMiddle Americas increased by 4.94.7 million hectoliters, or 4.4%3.7%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals described above, our total volumes increased bymid-single digits 3.8% in the year ended 31 December 20182019 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

OnIn Mexico, we grew volumes bymid-single digit, ahead of the same basis,industry, resulting in continued market share gains. We delivered growth across our business in Mexico performed wellbrand portfolio, with a particularly strong performance in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, with volumes up by high single digits.above core segment. We grew volumes in every major brand and every region in Mexico, resulting in an estimated market share gain of 60 bps. Throughout the year, we haveremain 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 Coronacontinue to grow at an accelerated pace in the Northern regionsupported by a strong innovation pipeline, consistent brand messaging and Victoria to deliver its best performance ever in the Central region.entrance into new occasions. Our premium portfolio also contributed meaningfully totop-line growth, as well, led by Michelob Ultra and Stella Artois which grew by double digits.

On the same basis, our business in Colombia sawwith double-digit volume growth of 3.2%, ledthe Modelo family, Michelob Ultra, Stella Artois and our local craft brand, Cucapá. In early 2019, we signed a contract with OXXO, the largestc-store chain in Mexico, to begin selling our portfolio of beers in their 17 000+ stores in order to reach more consumers in more occasions. We expanded in the regions of Guadalajara and Mexico City in 2019, with our portfolio quickly reaching fair share in the 4 000+ stores in which we are now present. While the majority of our growth was driven by existing channels, our entrance into OXXO also made a meaningful contribution.

In Colombia, we had a very strong year with a healthy balance between volume and revenue per hectoliter growth, even in the context of a more competitive environment. In 2019, our total volumes grew bymid-single digits, with consistent growth in both our beer growth of 3.6% and ournon-beer volumes improved by 0.2%portfolios, leading to our highest annual volume growth in Colombia since 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.SAB combination. We continue to drive premiumization withinsuccessfully expand the category, supportedpremium segment, led by our global brand portfolio, which grew by more than 75% this50% in 2019. At the other end of the price spectrum, we are bringing new consumers into the category through smart affordability initiatives, such as the expansion of our1-liter returnable glass bottle sharing pack. Our local core portfolio delivered consistently strong results throughout the year, led by Aguila, which grew by double-digits and ended the year with a strong performance from Budweiser.powerful campaign focused on responsible drinking. Our local brandnon-beer portfolio also performed well,deliveredmid-single digit volume growth for 2019, led by Aguila’s country-widethe expansion focused on promoting its national identity.of Malta Leona and the launch of our new purpose-driven water brand, Zalva, from which the profits will contribute to the recovery of Colombian wetlands.

On the same basis, beerIn Peru, our volumes in Peru decreaseddeclined by low single digitsdigits. In light of the challenging consumer environment, we launched a new brand called Golden, as part of our affordability strategy. Golden is brewed using ingredients with strong cultural relevance to strengthen our ties to local farming andnon-beer is off to a very strong start.

In Ecuador, our volumes decreaseddeclined by highlow single digits in a challenging macroeconomic environment, though the brand mix of all threedigits. While our global brands delivered solid growth. Ecuador volumes increased bymid-single digits and we estimate we gained share of total alcohol ascontinued to perform well with double-digit volume growth, a result of successful initiatives acrosssofter consumer environment impacted the beer category led by Pilsener and Club Premium and continued growththroughout the year. In response, we are enhancing our core offerings across a variety of price points to ensure consumers have accessible options within the global brands.beer category.

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LatinSouth America North

In the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, our volumes in LatinSouth America North decreasedincreased by 4.44.0 million hectoliters, or 3.7%3.0%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, with our beer volumes decreasing 2.1%increasing 1.5% and soft drinks decreasing 8.5%increasing 7.0%.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals described above, our volumes decreasedincreased by 3.5%2.8%.

On the same basis,In Brazil, our Brazil business saw total volumes decreasinggrew by 4.4% in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, with5.0%. Our beer volumes decreasinggrew by 3.1% and3.0% while ournon-beer volumes decreasinggrew by 8.7%11.2%.

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 According to Nielsen, the beer industry although our beer volumes decreasedgrew by low single digits as compared2.4% and thenon-beer industry grew by 2.7%. We continue to the same period last year.

On the same basis, based on our estimates, we gained shareutilize a portfolio approach to win in the premium category as we can reach more consumers on more occasions through our complementary brand portfolio. In 2019, our premium portfolio grew by double-digits, led by our global brands and local premium offerings, such as Original and our craft brands. Our global brand portfolio grew by double-digits off a meaningful base, with strong performances from all three brands. Beck’s, our premium German pure malt brand, was also recently added to our portfolio. It is off to a very strong start in the regions where it has been launched. In the core plus segment, Bohemia is accelerating its momentum, delivering four consecutive quarters of triple-digit growth. Our Skol Puro Malte innovation, which was rolled out nationally in the second quarter of 2019, continues to grow at rapid pace, enabling the Skol family volumes to stabilize in the full year. Our smart affordability strategy continues to gain traction, with our regional brands Nossa, Magnífica and Legítima performing very well. Each has delivered meaningfull share gains in the states in which it was launched, and Magnifica is now the leading brand in the value 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 onestate of the fastest growingMaranhão. These 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 consumersoffered at an accessible price point while delivering comparable margins toand brewed with local crops, deliver incremental volume and profitability by increasing our core portfolio. Nossa was launchedpresence 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 Southstates.

In the year ended 31 December 2018, our volumes in Latin America South decreased by 0.1 million hectoliters, or 0.3%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the 2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, our volumes declined by 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 singlemid-single digits in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, due largely to the2019, as we faced consumption contraction resulting from ongoing 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 doingperformed well gaining an estimatedand gained share within the segment, led by our global brands and our local premium brand, Patagonia. Our local champion in a growingthe core plus segment, of the industry, drivenAndes Origen, grew by Patagonia and Corona, and wedouble-digits. Our smart affordability initiatives continue to scale up Budweiser after reacquiringgain traction, led by packaging innovations such as the rights to the brand in the first half of 2018. We also successfully repositioned our two largest brands in the country, Quilmes Clásica and Brahma, leading to an improved performance of our core portfolio.340ml returnable glass bottle.

EMEA

In EMEA, our volumes, including subcontracted volumes, for the year ended 31 December 20182019 decreased by 44.51.2 million hectoliters, or 33.8%1.4%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals described above, our beer volumes for the year ended 31 December 20182019 increased by low single digits3.4% compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

On the same basis, our beer volumesOur business in South Africa declined bydelivered amid-single digitsdigit volume growth. We continue to focus on growing the beer category and estimate we gained more than 200 bps of share of total alcohol. The premium segment, where we under-index, continues to grow faster than the total industry. We achieved our estimated highest ever market share in thethis segment in 2019 as our premium brands continue to outperform, led by Corona. Our flavored malt beverages also performed very well this year, ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017. The macroeconomicgrowing by double-digits, led by Brutal Fruit and consumer environmentFlying Fish. We have enhanced our smart affordability strategy 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 whereensure our portfolio is over-indexed. Despiteincludes accessible offerings for more consumers in light of the challenging environmentmacroeconomic environment.

In Europe, our volumes grew in the country, our premium portfolio grew by triple digits,2019, and we estimate we gained 10 percentage points of market share on a full year basis in the high end segment, benefitting from the launch of the Budweiser 660ml pack and a very 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 vast majorityall of our volumesmarkets, with particularly strong gains in France and was held backthe Netherlands after successful Budweiser launches. Budweiser is now our fastest growing brand in Europe. The UK continues to delivervolume-led revenue growth fueled by a challenging macroeconomic environment,the continued growth of our share remains broadly unchanged, and towardglobal brands, particularly the enddouble-digit growth of 2018 we saw an improved performance in volume.Corona.

On the same basis, beer volumes in

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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 flatwere lower in Tanzania and were down bymid-single digitsMozambique in 2019. In Zambia and Uganda, as a result of capacity constraints and a challenging macroeconomic environment.

On the same basis, Western Europewe delivered strong volume growth. In Nigeria, we grew volumes bylow-single digits, with strong execution associated with the 2018 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 double-digits in France and Spain,2019 as well as the Corona Sunset Festivals in the United Kingdom and Italy. The United Kingdom and Spain led the way withwe continued to gain market share growth across the region, based on our estimates.share.

Asia Pacific

For the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, our volumes increaseddecreased by 2.32.9 million hectoliters, or 2.2%3.1%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals described above, our beer volumes for the year ended 31 December 2018 increased2019 decreased by low single digits2.9% compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

On the same basis,In China, our volumesvolume declined by 3.0% in China grew2019. During 2019, we estimate we gained market share in every channel. However, our overall market share declined by 2.5%approximately 50 bps, resulting from channel mix shift given our position in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.nightlife channel. Our super premium brands continued to grow by strong double-digits in 2019, led by Corona, Blue Girl and Hoegaarden. We estimate that Corona is the number one brand in the super premium segment. Blue Girl, which joined our portfolio in May 2019, is one of the fastest growing super premium brands with a meaningful base. Hoegaarden grew volumes significantly supported by a strong overall performance of ourin 2019, as the leading and fastest growing wheat beer in China. We also continue to lead the beer category in thee-commerce business.channel, which grew by strong double-digits in 2019. During theDouble-11e-commerce campaign in November 2019, the largeste-commerce sales event in China, Budweiser was the number one brand and Corona, Hoegaarden and Harbin were also grewamong the top five beer brands by retail sales value on both the Tmall and JD platforms. Budweiser declined bymid-single digits supportedin 2019, driven 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 digitssoftness in the year ended 31 December 2018, due to a softer industry performance amidst declining consumer confidence compared tonightlife channel in the second half of the year, ended 31 December 2017. Great Northernas Budweiser is well-established as the leading brand of the nightlife occasion. Nevertheless, Budweiser remains the number one brand in the premium segment and we have made additional commercial investments to accelerate the brand’s expansion into other channels.

Our business in South Korea had a key enginechallenging year with declines in volume. This performance was primarily the result of growth, withan overall industry decline in light of weaker consumer sentiment. In late October 2019, we rolled back our price increase previously implemented in April 2019 to revitalize the beer industry during the economic downturn. Our premium portfolio continued double-digit growth of both Original and Super Crisp variants. Our craft acquisitions continue to grow in strength with double-digit volume growth inthroughout the year, ended 31 December 2018. Additionally, Budweiser was brewed locally for the first timeled by Stella Artois and played a key role in the 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM activations. In the last quarter of 2018, we further strengthened our portfolio with the launch of our firstnon-alcohol beer, Carlton Zero.Budweiser.

Global Export and Holding Companies

For the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, Global Export and Holding Companies volumes decreased by 0.90.4 million hectoliters. The change in volume performance mainly resulted from the reallocation of export volumes to the Latin America South region.America.

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 “—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Foreign Currency” for more information.

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The following table reflects changes in revenue across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, as compared to our revenue for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)(3)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   15,504    15,588    (0.5   15,488    15,504    (0.1

Latin America West

   9,999    9,238    8.2 

Latin America North

   8,990    9,775    (8.0

Latin America South

   2,863    3,363    (14.9

Middle Americas

   11,912    11,614    2.6 

South America

   9,790    10,238    (4.4

EMEA

   8,374    10,344    (19.0   7,911    8,368    (5.5

Asia Pacific

   8,470    7,804    8.5    6,544    6,735    (2.8

Global Export and Holding Companies

   419    332    26.2    685    582    17.7 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   54,619    56,444    (3.2   52,329    53,041    (1.3
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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 January 2019, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the years ended 31 December 2019 and 2018 have been restated to reflect this allocation.

(3)

Effective 30 September 2019, the Australian operations were classified as a disposal group held for sale, and accounted for as discontinued operations and are not included in the figures reported above. The figures for the year ended 31 December 2018 has been restated to reflect this change.

Our consolidated revenue was USD 54,61952,329 million for the year ended 31 December 2018.2019. This represented a decrease of USD 1,8250.7 million, or 3.2%1.3%, as compared to our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. The results for the year ended 31 December 20182019 reflect (i) the performance of our business after the 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals, (ii) currency translation effects and (iii) changes in presentation of commercial investments (primarily related to the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.IFRS 15 adjustments).

 

The 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals and the adoptionchanges in presentation of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operationscommercial investments negatively impacted our consolidated revenue by USD 2,600316 million (net) for the year ended 31 December 20182019 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

 

Our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 20182019 also reflects an unfavorable currency translation impact of USD 1,8162,664 million mainly arising from currency translation effects in Latin America South and Latin America North.America.

Excluding the effects of the 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals and changes in presentation of commercial investments described above the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations and currency translation effects, our revenue increased 4.8%4.3% and increased by 4.5%3.1% on a per hectoliter basis, in the year ended 31 December 20182019 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, driven by our revenue management initiatives and brand mix, as we continue to implement our premiumization strategies around the world.2018. Our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 20182019 was partly impacted by the developments in volumes discussed above.

On the same basis, our revenue per hectoliter for the main business segments contributingyear ended 31 December 2019 increased compared to growth in our consolidated revenues were: (i) Latin America West,the year ended 31 December 2018, driven by the good performance of our brand portfolio, (ii) Latin America South,global premiumization and revenue management initiatives, although revenue per hectoliter growth decelerated as a result of high inflationadvances in our smart affordability strategy. This increase was most significant in South America, where revenue per hectoliter increased bymid-single digit, primarily driven by our ongoing premiumization and (iii)a price increase in our beer business, partially offset by geographic mix and the increased relevance of our smart affordability strategy, as well as the impact by category mix from the rapid growth of ournon-beer business, which has a lower average revenue per hectoliter than our beer business, and double-digit revenue per hectoliter growth in Argentina in line with inflation. In Asia Pacific, drivenour revenue per hectoliter increased by continuedmore than 5% as a result of ongoing premiumization.

Combined revenues of our three global brands grew by 9.0%5.2% in 2018,2019, with global revenues for Budweiser growing by 5.3%0.2%, for Stella Artois by 5.2%6.8% and for Corona by 17.6%13.3%.

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Cost of Sales

The following table reflects changes in the cost of sales across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20182019 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017:2018:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   (5,788   (5,777   (0.2   (5,789   (5,765   (0.4

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 

Middle Americas

   (3,549   (3,336   (6.4

South America

   (4,009   (3,842   (4.3

EMEA

   (3,482   (4,609   24.5    (3,506   (3,473   (1.0

Asia Pacific

   (3,533   (3,201   (10.4   (2,919   (3,098   5.8 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (370   (292   (26.7   (590   (418   (41.1
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   (20,359   (21,386   4.8    (20,362   (19,933   (2.2
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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)

The financial information for 2018 has been restated to reflect the changes in segment reporting, the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the figures reported above.

Our consolidated cost of sales was USD 20,35920,362 million for the year ended 31 December 2018.2019. This represented a decreasean increase of USD 1,027430 million, or 4.8%2.2%, as compared to our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. The results for the year ended 31 December 20182019 reflect (i) the performance of our business after certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20172018 and 2018,2019 and (ii) currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.effects.

 

The 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations positively impacted our consolidated cost of sales by USD 1,37314 million for the year ended 31 December 20182019 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

 

Our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 20182019 also reflects a positive currency translation impact of USD 5921,030 million mainly arising from currency translation effects in Latin America North.South America.

Excluding the effects of the 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals described above the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations and currency translation effects, our consolidated cost of sales increased by 4.7%7.4%, primarily driven by an increase insignificant commodity prices, partially offset by synergy delivery.and transactional currency headwinds. Our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 20182019 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%5.9%. The increase was most significant in South America, in particular in Brazil and Argentina where cost of sales per hectoliter increased by double-digits, mainly driven by commodity prices and the devaluation of transactional currency, and the increased weight ofone-way bottles and aluminum cans in our package mix as we aim to meet consumer needs across increasingly diversified and more premium occasions.

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 20182019 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. Our operating expenses do not include exceptional charges, which are reported separately.

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Our operating expenses for the year ended 31 December 20182019 were USD 16,43815,546 million, representing a decrease of USD 807456 million, or 4.7%2.8% compared to our operating expenses for 2017.2018.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Distribution Expenses

   (5,770   (5,876   1.8    (5,525   (5,612   1.6 

Sales and Marketing Expenses

   (7,883   (8,382   5.9    (7,348   (7,774   5.5 

Administrative Expenses

   (3,465   (3,841   9.8    (3,548   (3,421   (3.7

Other Operating Income/(Expenses)

   680    854    (20.4   875    805    8.7 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

   (16,438   (17,245   4.7    (15,546   (16,002   2.8 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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)

The financial information for 2018 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the figures reported above.

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 20182019 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017:2018:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   (4,396   (4,361   (0.8   (4,372   (4,413   0.9 

Latin America West

   (2,821   (2,876   1.9 

Latin America North

   (2,686   (3,060   12.2 

Latin America South

   (689   (781   11.8 

Middle Americas

   (3,049   (3,176   4.0 

South America

   (2,791   (2,976   6.2 

EMEA

   (2,760   (3,336   17.3    (2,862   (2,878   0.6 

Asia Pacific

   (2,770   (2,735   (1.3   (2,216   (2,347   5.6 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (996   (950   (4.8   (1,131   (1,016   (11.3
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   (17,118   (18,099   5.4    (16,421   (16,807   2.3 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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)

The financial information for 2018 has been restated to reflect the changes in segment reporting, the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the figures reported above.

Our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were USD 17,11816,421 million for the year ended 31 December 2018.2019. This represented a decrease of USD 981386 million, or 5.4%2.3%, as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. The results for the year ended 31 December 20182019 reflect (i) the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20172018 and 2018,2019, (ii) currency translation effects and the adoption(iii) changes in presentation of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.commercial investments (primarily related to IFRS 15 adjustments).

 

The 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals described above and the adoptionchanges in presentation of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operationscommercial investments positively impacted our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses by USD 603157 million for the year ended 31 December 20182019 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

 

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Our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended 31 December 20182019 also reflect a positive currency translation impact of USD 443829 million.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals and changes in presentation of commercial investments described above and currency translation effects, and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations, our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses in the year ended 31 December 2018 remained in line2019 decreased by 3.6% compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018 in line with our revenue growth but slightly below inflation.

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 20182019 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017:2018:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   40    36    11.1    26    40    (35.0

Latin America West

   87    89    (2.2

Latin America North

   266    361    (26.3

Latin America South

   2    13    (84.6

Middle Americas

   121    88    37.5 

South America

   201    267    (24.7

EMEA

   98    108    (9.3   264    232    13.8 

Asia Pacific

   163    168    (3.0   230    154    49.4 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   25    79    (68.4   35    25    40.0 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   680    854    (20.4   875    805    8.7 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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)

The financial information for 2018 has been restated to reflect the changes in segment reporting, the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the figures reported above.

The net positive effect of our other operating income and expenses for the year ended 31 December 20182019 was USD 680875 million. This represented a decreasean increase of USD 17470 million, or 20.4%8.7%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. The results for the year ended 31 December 20182019 reflect (i) the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20172018 and 2018,2019 and (ii) currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.effects.

 

The 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals described above and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations negativelypositively impacted our net consolidated other operating income and expenses by USD 1128 million for the year ended 31 December 20182019 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

 

Our net consolidated other operating income and expenses for the year ended 31 December 20182019 also reflect a negative currency translation impact of USD 4637 million.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals and currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations described above, our net consolidated other operating income and expenses would have decreasedincreased by 2.2%12.2% for the year ended 31 December 20182019 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, driven primarily by lowerthe higher gains on disposals.disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.

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.

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For the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, exceptional items included in profit from operations consisted of restructuring charges, acquisition costs of business combinations, and business and asset disposal.disposal, Brazil State Tax Regularization Program (as discussed below) and cost related to the public offering of minority stake in Budweiser APAC. Exceptional items were as follows for the years ended 31 December 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018
 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Restructuring

   (385   (468   (170   (363

Acquisition costs of business combination

   (74   (155   (23   (73

Business and asset disposal

   (26   (39   (50   (26

Brazil State tax regularization program

   (74   —   

Cost related to public offering of minority stake in Budweiser APAC

   (6   —   

Provision for EU investigation

   (230       —      (230
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   (715   (662   (323   (692
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Restructuring

Exceptional restructuring charges amounted to a net cost of USD 385170 million for the year ended 31 December 20182019 as compared to a net cost of USD 468363 million for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. These charges primarily relate to the SAB integration.organizational alignments. These changes aim to eliminate overlap or duplicated processes, taking into account the right match of employee profiles with new organizational 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-making and improvements to efficiency, service and quality.

Acquisition Costs of Business Combinations

Acquisition costs of USD 7423 million for the year ended 31 December 20182019 as compared to a net cost of USD 73 million for the year ended 31 December 2018. These charges primarily relatedrelate to cost incurred to facilitate the combination with SAB and costs incurred to recover the Budweiser distribution rights in Argentina from CCU. See also note 15 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.SAB.

Business and Asset Disposal

Business and asset disposals amounted to a net cost of USD 2650 million for the year ended 31 December 2019, mainly comprising of costs incurred in relation to the announced divestiture of the Australia business. Business and asset disposals amounted to a net cost of USD 26 million in 2018, mainly attributablerelated to the costs incurred related to the IFRS treatment of the 50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes’ Russia and Ukraine businesses and the related transaction cost.costs. See also note 6 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 included in this Form20-F.

Brazil State Tax Regularization Program

In 2019, Ambev made a payment of USD 74 million to the State of Mato Grosso in relation to the Special Value-added Tax (ICMS) Amnesty Program in Brazil in accordance with the Brazilian State Tax Regularization Program.

Cost related to public offering of minority stake in Budweiser APAC

In 2019, we incurred USD 117 million of fees in relation to the initial public offering of a minority stake of Budweiser APAC, our Asia Pacific subsidiary, of which USD 6 million were reported in the income statement and USD 111 million were capitalized in equity. In addition, we have reported USD 58 million of stamp duties in equity that are directly attributable to the public offering of Budweiser APAC.

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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 year ended 31 December 2018.2018 and settled it during the year ended 31 December 2019. 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 20182019 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017:2018:

 

   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   5,350    5,490    (2.6

Latin America West

   4,419    3,743    18.1 

Latin America North

   3,170    3,314    (4.3

Latin America South

   1,085    1,375    (21.1

EMEA

   1,860    2,363    (21.3

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   5,341    5,355    (0.3

Middle Americas

   5,384    5,038    6.9 

South America

   3,094    3,689    (16.1

EMEA

   1,746    1,878    (7.0

Asia Pacific

   2,265    1,939    16.8    1,598    1,401    14.1 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (1,042   (1,071   2.7    (1,064   (946   (12.5
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   17,106    17,152    (0.3   16,098    16,414    (1.9
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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)

The financial information for 2018 has been restated to reflect the changes in segment reporting, the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the figures reported above.

Our profit from operations amounted to USD 17,10616,098 million for the year ended 31 December 2018.2019. This represented a decrease of USD 46316 million, or 0.3%1.9%, as compared to our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. The results for the year ended 31 December 20182019 reflect (i) the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20172018 and 2018,2019, (ii) currency translation effects and (iii) the effects of certain exceptional items as described above.

 

The 20172018 and 20182019 acquisitions and disposals described above and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations negatively impacted our consolidated profit from operations by USD 739137 million for the year ended 31 December 20182019 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

 

Our consolidated profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 20182019 also reflects a negative currency translation impact of USD 874820 million.

 

Our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 20182019 was negatively impacted by USD 715323 million of certain exceptional items, as compared to a negative impact of USD 662692 million for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. See “—Exceptional Items” above for a description of the exceptional items during the years ended 31 December 20182019 and 2017.2018.

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Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals described above and currency translation effects, and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations, our profit from operations increased by 9.4%3.9%. This increase was most significant in Asia Pacific and Middle Americas, due to revenue growth.

EBITDA, as defined

The following table reflects changes in our EBITDA, as defined, for the year ended 31 December 20182019 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017:2018:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Profit of the year

   5,691    9,183    (38.0   10,414    5,688    83.1 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —      (28   —      (424   (531   (20.2

Net finance cost

   8,729    6,507    (34.1   3,473    8,826    60.7 

Income tax expense

   2,839    1,920    (47.9   2,786    2,585    (7.8

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

   (153   (430   (64.4   (152   (153   (0.7
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Profit from operations

   17,106    17,152    (0.3   16,098    16,414    (1.9

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   4,260    4,276    0.4    4,657    4,624    (0.7
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

EBITDA, as defined

   21,366    21,429    (0.3   20,755    21,038    (1.3
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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)

The financial information for 2018 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the figures reported above.

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:

 

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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 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 21,36620,755 million for the year ended 31 December 2018.2019. This represented a decrease of USD 63283 million, or 0.3%1.3%, as compared to our EBITDA, as defined, for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. The results for the year ended 31 December 20182019 reflect (i) the performance of our business after the completion of the acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20172018 and 20182019 discussed above and (ii) currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.effects. Furthermore, our EBITDA, as defined, was negatively impacted by USD 715332 million (before impairment losses) of certain exceptional items in the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, as compared to a negative impact of USD 662692 million (before impairment losses) during the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. See “—Exceptional Items” above for a description of the exceptional items during the years ended 31 December 20182019 and 2017.2018.

Net Finance Cost

Our net finance cost items were as follows for the years ended 31 December 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Net interest expense

   (3,785   (4,005   5.5    (3,739   (3,785   1.2 

Net interest on net defined benefit liabilities

   (94   (101   6.9    (95   (94   (1.1

Accretion expense

   (400   (614   34.9    (650   (511   (27.2

Mark-to-market (hedging of our share-based payment programs)

   (1,774   (291   —      898    (1,774   —   

Other financial results

   (694   (803   13.6    (769   (680   (13.1
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net finance cost before exceptional finance results

   (6,747   (5,814   (16.0   (4,355   (6,844   36.4 

Mark-to-market (Grupo Modelo deferred share instrument)

   (873   (146   —      445    (873   —   

Othermark-to-market

   (849   (142   —      433    (849   —   

Other

   (260   (405   35.8    4    (260   —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Exceptional net finance income/(cost)

   (1,982)    (693)    (186.0)    882    (1,982)    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net finance income/(cost)

   (8,729)    (6,507)    (34.1)    (3,473)    (8,826)    60.7 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

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(2)

The financial information for 2018 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the figures reported above.

Our net finance cost for the year ended 31 December 20182019 was USD 8,7293,473 million, as compared to USD 6,5078,826 million for the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, representing a cost increasedecrease of USD 2,2225,353 million.

The increasedecrease in net finance costs before exceptional financial items is driven primarily by a negativepositivemark-to-market adjustment of USD 1,774898 million in 2018,2019, linked to the hedging of our share-based payment program, compared to a negativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 2911,774 million for the period ended 31 December 2017.2018.

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 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018
 

Share price at the start of the period(in euro)

   93.13    100.55    57.70    93.13 

Share price at the end of the period(in euro)

   57.70    93.13    72.71    57.70 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period(in millions)

   46.9    46.9 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period (in millions)

   54.0    46.9 

Exceptional net finance costs of USD 882 million include a negativepositivemark-to-market adjustment of USD 1,722878 million on derivative instruments entered into to hedge the shares issued in relation to the combination with Grupo Modelo and SAB, compared to a total negativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 2881,722 million for the period ended 31 December 2017.2018. 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 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018
 

Share price at the start of the period(in euro)

   93.13    100.55    57.70    93.13 

Share price at the end of the period(in euro)

   57.70    93.13    72.71    57.70 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period(in millions)

   45.5    45.5 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period (in millions)

   45.5    45.5 

Other exceptional net finance costs of USD 260 million in 2018 mainly resultwere further impacted by results from premiums paidgains made on the early termination of certain bonds, income related to the reduction of deferred considerations on acquisitions and tonon-cash foreign exchange lossestranslation gains on intragroup loans that were historically reported in equity and were recycled from equity to profit and loss account upon the reimbursement of these loans. This impact was partially offset by an exceptional finance cost in relation to thewrite-off on our investment in Delta Corporation Ltd following the entry of Zimbabwe into a hyperinflation economy and interest paid to the State of Mato Grosso in relation to the Special Value-added Tax (ICMS) Amnesty Program in Brazil in accordance with the Brazilian State Tax Regularization.

Share of Results of Associates and Joint Ventures

Our share of results of associates and joint ventures for the year ended 31 December 20182019 was USD 153152 million as compared to USD 430153 million for the year ended 31 December 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.2018.

Income Tax Expense

Our total income tax expense for the year ended 31 December 20182019 amounted to USD 2,8392,786 million, with an effective tax rate of 33.9%22.1%, as compared to an income tax expense of USD 1,9202,585 million and an effective tax rate of 18.0%34.1% for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

The 2018 taxes were negatively2019 effective tax rate was positively impacted by lossesnon-taxable gains from certain derivatives related to the 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 inSAB. The 2018 effective tax legislation in some countries resulting in additionalrate was negatively impacted bynon-deductible expenses in 2018.losses from these derivatives.

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 combination with Anheuser Busch and certain deferred tax assets following the change in federal tax rate from 35% to 21%.

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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 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 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 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 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 2017 by USD 53 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. 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 1,3231,243 million for the year ended 31 December 2017, an increase2019, a decrease of USD 13675 million from USD 1,1871,318 million for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

Profit Attributable to Our Equity Holders

Profit attributable to our equity holders for the year ended 31 December 20182019 was USD 4,3689,171 million compared to USD 7,9964,370 million for the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, with basic earnings per share of USD 2.21,4.62, based on 1,9751,984 million shares outstanding, representing the weighted average number of ordinary and Restricted Shares outstanding during the year ended 31 December 2018.2019. 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 20182019 would have been USD 6,7938,086 million, and basic earnings per share would have been USD 3.44.4.08.

Underlying EPS for the year ended 31 December 20182019 was USD 4.383.63 compared to USD 4.194.10 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 decreaseincrease in profit attributable to our equity holders in the year ended 31 December 20182019 was primarily due to a higher negativepositivemark-to-market adjustment linked to the hedging of our share-based payment programs and higher exceptional net finance costgains on the hedging of the shares issued in transactions related to the combination with Grupo Modelo and SAB, compared to a negativemark-to-market adjustment linked to these hedges for the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.2018.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018
 
  (USD per share)   (USD per share) 

Profit from operations excluding exceptional items and hyperinflation impacts

   9.14    9.04    8.34    8.78 

Hyperinflation impacts

   (0.12   —      (0.06   (0.11
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Profit from operations excluding exceptional items

   9.02    9.04    8.28    8.66 

Mark-to-market (hedging of our share-based payment programs)

   (0.90   (0.15   0.45    (0.90

Net finance cost excludingmark-to-market related to the hedging of our share-based payment programs

   (2.52   (2.80

Net finance cost (excludingmark-to-market related to the hedging of our share-based payment programs)

   (2.65   (2.57

Income tax expense

   (1.56   (1.40   (1.40   (1.43

Associates &non-controlling interest

   (0.61   (0.65   (0.60   (0.61
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Earnings per share excluding exceptional items and discontinued operations

   3.44    4.04    4.08    3.16 

Mark-to-market (hedging of our share-based payment programs)

   0.90    0.15    (0.45   0.90 

Hyperinflation impacts in earnings per share

   0.04    —      —      0.04 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Underlying EPS

   4.38    4.19    3.63    4.10 

Earnings per share excluding exceptional items and discontinued operations

   3.44    4.04    4.08    3.16 

Exceptional items, before taxes

   (0.36   (0.34   (0.16   (0.35

Exceptional net finance cost, before taxes

   (1.00   (0.35   0.44    (1.00

Exceptional taxes

   0.12    0.42    —      0.12 

Exceptional items attributable tonon-controlling interest

   0.02    0.27    0.05    0.02 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —      0.01    0.21    0.27 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   2.21    4.06    4.62    2.21 

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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

FollowingIn May 2018, the categorization of Argentina asArgentinean peso underwent a country with asevere devaluation resulting in the three-year cumulative inflation rate greater thanof Argentina exceeding 100%, in 2018, thereby triggering the country is consideredrequirement to transition to hyperinflation accounting as a hyperinflationary economyprescribed by IAS 29Financial Reporting in accordanceHyperinflationary Economies as of 1 January 2018. Consequently, we have applied hyperinflation accounting for our Argentinean subsidiaries with IFRS rules (IAS 29).effect as of 1 January 2018.

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.

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In the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2018,2019, we are reportingreported USD 24673 million negative impact of hyperinflation accounting on our consolidated revenue and USD 14443 million negative impact on our EBITDA, as defined, before exceptional items. The hyperinflation accounting in the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2019 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 2019 and the translation of those results at the closing rate of the period, rather than the averageyear-to-date rate applied to the results of the full year 2019.

In the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2018, we reported USD 310 million negative impact of hyperinflation accounting on our consolidated revenue and USD 164 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

   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018
 
   (USD million) 

Indexation

   211    258 

Closing rate

   (284   (568
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   (73   (310
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

   Year ended
31 December 2019
   Year ended
31 December 2018
 
   (USD million) 

Indexation

   89    108 

Closing rate

   (131   (272
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   (43   (164
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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 toyear-to- date income statement account both for inflation index and currency conversion.

In the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, the transition to hyperinflation accounting in accordance with IFRS rules resulted in a positive USD 4686 million monetary adjustment reported in the finance line compared to a positive USD 46 million monetary adjustment for the year ended 31 December 2018, and a negative impact on the Profit attributable to our equity holders of USD 7711 million andcompared to a negative impact on Earnings per share excluding exceptional items and discontinued operations of USD 0.04.77 million for the year ended 31 December 2018.

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Year Ended 31 December 20172018 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 20162017

The table below presents our condensed consolidated results of operations for the yearyears ended 31 December 20172018 and 2016. Following completion of the combination with SAB, we are consolidating SAB and reporting results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.2017.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(3)
   Change 
  (USD million, except volumes)   (%)(1)   (USD million, except volumes)   (%)(1) 

Volumes (thousand hectoliters)

   612,572    500,242    22.5    559,819    605,363    (7.5

Revenue

   56,444    45,517    24.0    53,041    54,859    (3.3

Cost of sales

   (21,386   (17,803   (20.1   (19,933   (20,975   5.0 

Gross profit

   35,058    27,715    26.5    33,108    33,883    (2.3

Selling, General and Administrative expenses

   (18,099   (15,171   (19.3   (16,807   (17,760   5.4 

Other operating income/(expenses)

   854    732    16.7    805    946    (14.9

Exceptional items

   (662   (394   (68.0   (692   (609   (13.6

Profit from operations

   17,152    12,882    33.1    16,414    16,460    (0.3

EBITDA, as defined(2)

   21,429    16,361    31.0    21,038    21,085    (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.

(3)

Our condensed consolidated results of operations for 2018 and 2017 have been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the figures reported above.

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 combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

The table below summarizes the volume evolution by business segment.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)(3)
   Change 
  (thousand hectoliters)   (%)(1)   (thousand hectoliters)   (%)(1) 

North America

   113,496    116,890    (2.9   110,726    113,496    (2.4

Latin America West

   110,625    63,618    73.9 

Latin America North

   119,374    118,012    1.2 

Latin America South

   34,062    32,158    5.9 

Middle Americas

   128,803    123,639    4.2 

South America

   135,618    140,422    (3.4

EMEA

   131,692    75,348    74.8    87,135    131,692    (33.8

Asia Pacific

   101,986    92,278    10.5    96,116    93,833    2.4 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   1,336    1,940    (31.1   1,422    2,281    (37.7
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   612,572    500,242    22.5    559,819    605,363    (7.5
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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)

Following completion ofEffective 1 January 2019, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAByears ended 31 December 2018 and report results2017 have been restated to reflect this allocation.

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(3)

Effective 30 September 2019, the Australian operations were classified as a disposal group held for sale, and volumes ofaccounted for as discontinued operations. The figures for the retained SAByears ended 31 December 2018 and 2017 have been restated to reflect this change. The Australian discontinued operations as ofare not included in the fourth quarter of 2016.figures reported above.

Our consolidated volumes were 612.6559.8 million hectoliters for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. This represented an increasea decrease of 112.345.5 million hectoliters, or 22.5%7.5%, as compared to our consolidated volumes for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20172018 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20162017 and 2017.2018.

On 30 March 2018, we completed the 50:50 merger of our and Anadolu Efes’ existing Russia and Ukraine businesses. 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 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 Baltica brands and other commitments to CCU 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 combination with SAB, which was included as from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results, increased our volumes by 127.4 million hectoliters in the 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 in South Africa and the acquisition of certain craft breweries in the United States, China, Australia and Europe. The other 2016Europe (collectively, the “2017 acquisitions and disposals mainly include” and, together with the acquisition of certain craft breweries in2018 acquisitions and disposals, the United States, Canada, Europe2017 and the Caribbean2018 acquisitions and the disposal of a brewery in Germany. These 2016disposals”). The 2017 and 2017 transactions2018 acquisitions and disposals negatively impacted our consolidated volumes in the aggregate, by 15.547.2 million hectoliters (net) for the year ended 31 December 20172018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20172018 and 2016,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20172018 included in this Form20-F.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the combination with SAB2017 and the2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, total volumes increased 0.1%0.3% in the year ended 31 December 20172018 compared to our volumes for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

North America

In the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, our volumes in North America decreased by 3.32.8 million hectoliters, or 2.9%2.4%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the other2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, our total volumes decreased by 3.3%2.5% compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

On the same basis, we estimate that the United States industry’s beersales-to-retailers, adjusted for the number of selling days, declined by 1.3%1.8% in the year ended 31 December 20172018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. We estimate that our shipment volumes in the United States and our beersales-to-retailers, adjusted for the number of selling days, declined by 3.5%2.6% and 3.0%2.7%, respectively. Our beersales-to-wholesalerscaught-up in the fourth quarter from the third quarter’s disruption caused by major hurricanes,respectively, in line with our expectations that beersales-to-retailers andsales-to-wholesalers converge over time.

Our above premium brand portfolio continuedOn the same basis, overall, we continue to perform well, gaining approximately 45 bpssee the progress of our commercial strategy, with an estimated decline in total market share of 40 bps in the year ended 31 December 2018 and an estimated decline of 20 bps during the last quarter.

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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 in the year ended 31 December 2017, based on our estimates.estimates, driven by Michelob Ultra, ledour regional craft portfolio, the recently rebranded Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer and our innovations in the segment. Michelob Ultra accelerated its growth in this segment, with volumes up by double-digits, continuingduring the last quarter, solidifying its runposition as the top share gainer in the USUnited Sates 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,past 4 years, based on our estimates,estimates. Our 2018 innovation pipeline contributed an estimated 50% of total 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 in the year ended 31 December 2017.2018 and continue to gain share, based on our estimates, enhancing the premiumization of our portfolio.

The premium and premium light segments underperformedOn the industry.same basis, Budweiser and Bud Light market share declined by an estimated 40are 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 8580 bps of estimated total market share, respectively. Our value brand portfolio showed improved trendsSuper Bowl advertising was in the year ended 31 December 2017,line with the Busch brand family and Bud Ice leading the way.

We continueour strategy to strengthen the beer category. We drove stronger consumer awareness of our premium brands and expand our presence beyond traditional beer, with our recent bets in thenon-alcohol space andinnovations including Stella Artois, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, gaining momentum, as we leverageMichelob 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 strong wholesaler network to meet evolving consumer needs.

We estimate a declineannouncement in total market shareJanuary 2018 that it would be the first brand in the United States of approximately 75 bpsto add a comprehensiveon-pack serving facts and ingredient label.

On the same basis, in the year ended 31 December 2017.

In Canada, our volumes decreased by low single digits in the year ended 31 December 20172018 compared to the 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 challenging industry environment. We estimate that we are nowgain 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 2018 as the market leader in every category segment in the country. Bud Light remained the fastest growingfastest-growing brand in Canada, completing its 22ndand with Bud Light growing estimated share for the 23rd 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.year.

Latin America WestMiddle Americas

In the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, our volumes in Latin America WestMiddle Americas increased by 47.05.2 million hectoliters, or 73.9%4.2%, compared to the year ended 31 December 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 SAB2017 and the other2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, our total volumes increased by low singlemid-single digits in the year ended 31 December 20172018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

On the same basis, our business in Mexico delivered another solidperformed well in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, with volumes up bymid-single high single digits. We grew volumes in every major brand and every region in Mexico, resulting in an estimated market share gain 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 full brandcore 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 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 lookcontributed meaningfully to growth as well, asled 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.which grew by double digits.

On a year-over-year basis and for the Combined Group, our Colombian volumes declined by low single 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 performed very well, growingimproved 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 comparable0.2% in the first six months ofyear ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 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 The beer category continues to expand, as well as the launch of our three global brands, we estimate that we gained an estimated 150 bps of share of total alcohol in the year ended 31 December 2017 and offered consumers2018. We continue to drive premiumization within the category, supported by our global brand portfolio which grew by more choice acrossthan 75% in 2018, led by a variety of price points.strong performance from Budweiser. Our local brand portfolio also performed well, led by Aguila’s country-wide expansion focused on promoting its national identity.

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LatinOn 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.

South America North

In the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, our volumes in LatinSouth America North increaseddecreased by 1.34.8 million hectoliters, or 1.2%3.4%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2016,2017, with our beer volumes increasing 2.7%decreasing 2.1% and soft drinks decreasing 3.5%7.2%.

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 2.1 million hectoliters in the first nine months of 2017.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the combination with SAB2017 and the other2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, our volumes decreased by 0.6%3.6%.

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 in the prior 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.

On the same basis, in Argentina, volumes declined by low single digits in the year ended 31 December 20172018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016, with2017, 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 volumes increasing by low single digits, whereas the beer industry accordingcategory continued 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 three global brands, especially Budweiser.

Latin America South

Ingain share of throat from other alcoholic beverages, gaining over 3 percentage points in the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, based on our volumesestimates. Our premium brands did well, gaining an estimated share in Latin America South increaseda growing segment of the industry, driven by 1.9 million hectoliters, or 5.9%, comparedPatagonia and Corona, and we continued to scale up Budweiser after reacquiring the rights to the year ended 31 December 2016.

Argentina delivered a very strongbrand in the first half of 2018. We also successfully repositioned our two largest brands in the country, Quilmes Clásica and Brahma, leading to an improved performance with high single digits total volume growth, withof 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 focusing on national pride. Our premium portfolio, led by Stella Artois, Corona and local craft brand Patagonia, accelerated its growth and fueled positive mix. Our soft drink portfolio also performed well as a result of a new commercial and portfolio strategy, growing volumes and achieving its best result in more than six years.core portfolio.

EMEA

In EMEA, our volumes, including subcontracted volumes, for the year ended 31 December 2017 increased2018 decreased by 56.344.6 million hectoliters, or 74.8%33.8%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

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.

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Excluding volume changes attributable to the combination with SAB2017 and the other2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, our beer volumes for the year ended 31 December 20172018 increased by low single digits compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

On a year-over-yearthe same basis, and for the Combined Group, our beer volumes in South Africa grewdeclined by 0.9%. Our high end portfolio, led by Stella Artois, Corona andmid-single digits in the recent seeding of Budweiser, showed consistent growth in volumes and market share gains throughoutyear ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017. InThe macroeconomic and consumer environment in South Africa was challenging in 2018. 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 near beercore segment Flying Fish recorded over 60% growthwhere our portfolio is over-indexed. Despite the challenging environment in the year ended 31 December 2017.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 very strong 2018 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 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 implicationsstill accounts for the imagevast majority of our volumes and healthwas held back by a challenging macroeconomic environment, our share remained broadly unchanged, and toward the end of the beer category.2018 we saw an improved performance in volume.

On a year-over-yearthe same basis, and for the Combined Group, beer volumes in Africa, excluding South Africa, grew in themid-teens, fueled by double-digitlow single digits, with significant volume growth in Zambia and Mozambique, where we achieved record high market share in the majoritylast quarter of 2018, based on our estimates. Our growth in Nigeria accelerated in the countries in which we operate, including Nigeria, Tanzania, Ugandayear ended 31 December 2018 following the introduction of our new brewerymid-year to meet demand, with double digit volume growth and Zambia, as we continue to expand our offerings to consumers through both affordability and premiumization strategies.

Western Europe achievedcontinued market share gains, in mostbased on our estimates. Additionally, we saw early signs of success of our markets.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 capacity constraints and a challenging macroeconomic environment.

On the same basis, Western Europe grew volumes bylow-single digits, with strong execution associated with the 2018 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 well as the Corona Sunset Festivals in the United Kingdom and Italy. The United Kingdom performed well, helped in large part byand Spain led the strong performances ofway with market share growth across the region, based on our three global brands. In Eastern Europe, volumes declined driven by the ongoing headwind of the large PET ban in Russia. However, our global and premium brands continued their strong growth.estimates.

Asia Pacific

For the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, our volumes increased by 9.72.3 million hectoliters, or 10.5%2.4%, compared to the year ended 31 December 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 SAB2017 and the other2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, our totalbeer volumes for the year ended 31 December 2018 increased by low single digits2.4% compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

In China,On the same basis, our volumes in China grew by low single digits2.5% 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 Franziskaner, accelerated its growth throughout the year ended 31 December 2017, with volumes almost doubling2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016, and we estimate that we are the market leader in all2017. Our super premium beer styles in China.

Onbrands continued to grow significantly, supported by a year-over-year basisstrong overall performance of oure-commerce business. Budweiser also grew bymid-single digits supported by premiumization efforts which expanded beyond the music platform into fashion and for the Combined Group, volumes in Australia 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-teens, driven by distribution gains as well as commercialbroader lifestyle activations.

Global Export and Holding Companies

For the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, Global Export and Holding Companies volumes decreased by 0.60.9 million hectoliters. The change in volume performance mainly resulted from the reallocation of export volumes to South America.

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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 “—A. 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 2017,2018, as compared to our revenue for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)(3)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   15,588    15,698    (0.7   15,504    15,588    (0.5

Latin America West

   9,238    5,188    78.1 

Latin America North

   9,775    8,461    15.5 

Latin America South

   3,363    2,850    18.0 

Middle Americas

   11,614    10,780    7.7 

South America

   10,238    11,596    (11.7

EMEA

   10,344    6,010    72.1    8,368    10,344    (19.1

Asia Pacific

   7,804    6,074    28.5    6,735    6,094    10.5 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   332    1,237    (73.2   582    457    27.4 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   56,444    45,517    24.0    53,041    54,859    (3.3
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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 ofEffective 1 January 2019, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAByears ended 31 December 2018 and report results2017 have been restated to reflect this allocation.

(3)

Effective 30 September 2019, the Australian operations were classified as a disposal group held for sale, and volumes ofaccounted for as discontinued operations. The figures for the retained SAByears ended 31 December 2018 and 2017 have been restated to reflect this change. The Australian discontinued operations as ofare not included in the fourth quarter of 2016.figures reported above.

Our consolidated revenue was USD 56,44453,041 million for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. This represented an increasea decrease of USD 10,9271,818 million, or 24.0%3.3%, as compared to our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20172018 reflect (i) the performance of our business after the completion of the combination with SAB, certain2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals, we undertook in 2016 and 2017 and(ii) currency translation effects.effects and (iii) the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.

 

The combination with SAB, which was included from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016, positively impacted our consolidated revenue by USD 9,867 million in the first nine months of 2017.

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 (the “other 20162018 acquisitions and disposals”). Furthermore, our 2017 consolidated results were impacted by the completion of the transition of CCBA and the acquisitionadoption of certain craft brewerieshyperinflation accounting in the United States, China, Australia and Europe (collectively, the “other 2017 acquisitions and disposals” and together with the 2016 acquisitions and disposals, the “other 2016 and 2017 acquisitions and disposals”). These acquisitions and disposalsour Argentinean operations negatively impacted our consolidated revenue by USD 1,3652,638 million (net) for the year ended 31 December 20172018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

 

Our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 20172018 also reflects a favorablean unfavorable currency translation impact of USD 3471,823 million mainly arising from currency translation effects in Latin AmericaMiddle Americas and South Latin America North and Asia Pacific.America.

Excluding the effects of the business2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, the combination with SABadoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations and currency translation effects, our revenue increased 4.7%5.1% and increased by 4.6%4.7% on a per hectoliter basis, in the year ended 31 December 20172018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016,2017, driven by our revenue management initiatives and brand mix, as we continue to implement our premiumization strategies around the world. Our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 20172018 was partly impacted by the developments in volumes discussed above.

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On the same basis, the main business segments contributing to growth in our consolidated revenues were: (i) Latin America South, as a result of high inflation; (ii) Latin America North, benefitting from revenue management initiatives; (iii) Latin America West,Middle Americas, driven by the good performance of our brand portfolio;portfolio, (ii) South America, as a result of high inflation and (iv)(iii) Asia Pacific, driven by continued premiumization.

Combined revenues of our three global brands grew by 9.8%8.9% in 2017,2018, with global revenues for Budweiser growing by 4.1%5.0%, for Stella Artois by 12.8%4.7% and for Corona by 19.9%18.3%.

Cost of Sales

The following table reflects changes in the cost of sales across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20172018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2016:2017:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   (5,777   (5,858   1.4    (5,765   (5,757   (0.1

Latin America West

   (2,555   (1,470   (73.8

Latin America North

   (3,744   (3,169   (18.1

Latin America South

   (1,207   (927   (30.2

Middle Americas

   (3,336   (3,154   (5.8

South America

   (3,842   (4,346   11.6 

EMEA

   (4,609   (2,590   (78.0   (3,473   (4,603   24.5 

Asia Pacific

   (3,201   (2,855   (12.1   (3,098   (2,788   (11.1

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (292   (935   68.8    (418   (327   (27.8
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   (21,386   (17,803   (20.1   (19,933   (20,975   5.0 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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 completionThe financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the changes in segment reporting, the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SABAustralian operations as ofdiscontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the fourth quarter of 2016.figures reported above.

Our consolidated cost of sales was USD 21,38619,933 million for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. This represented an increasea decrease of USD 3,5831,042 million, or 20.1%5%, as compared to our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20172018 reflect (i) the performance of our business after the completion of the combination with SAB, certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 2016 and 2017 and 2018, (ii) currency translation effects.effects and (iii) the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.

 

The combination with SAB, which was included from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016, negatively impacted our consolidated cost of sales by USD 3,802 million in the first nine months of 2017.

The 2016 and 20172018 acquisitions and disposals described aboveand the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations positively impacted our consolidated cost of sales by USD 9711,395 million for the year ended 31 December 20172018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

 

Our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 20172018 also reflects a negativepositive currency translation impact of USD 128615 million mainly arising from currency translation effects in Latin America North.Middle Americas.

Excluding the effects of the business2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, the combination with SABadoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations and currency translation effects, our consolidated cost of sales increased by 3.8%.5.0%, primarily driven by an increase in commodity prices, partially offset by synergy delivery. Our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 2018 was partly impacted by the developments in volumes discussed above. On the same basis, our consolidated cost of sales per hectoliter increased bymid-single digits. The 4.6% on a global basis. This increase was most significant in ourSouth America, where cost of sales was driven primarilyper hectoliter increased by unfavorable foreign exchange transactional impacts. Our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 2017 was partly impacted by the developmentsmore than 10% mainly due to higher inflation in volumes discussed above.Argentina in 2018 and higher commodities prices, especially aluminum.

-103-


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 20172018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. Our operating expenses do not include exceptional charges, which are reported separately.

Our operating expenses for the year ended 31 December 20172018 were USD 17,24516,002 million, representing an increasea decrease of USD 2,806812 million, or 19.4%4.8% compared to our operating expenses for 2016.2017.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Distribution Expenses

   (5,876   (4,543   (29.4   (5,612   (5,716   1.8 

Sales and Marketing Expenses

   (8,382   (7,745   (8.2   (7,774   (8,265   5.9 

Administrative Expenses

   (3,841   (2,882   (33.3   (3,421   (3,779   9.5 

Other Operating Income/(Expenses)

   854    732    16.7    805    946    (14.9
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

   (17,245   (14,439   (19.4   (16,002   (16,814   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)

Following completionThe financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SABAustralian operations as ofdiscontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the fourth quarter of 2016.figures reported above.

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 20172018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2016:2017:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   (4,361   (4,438   1.7    (4,413   (4,376   (0.8

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

Middle Americas

   (3,176   (3,232   1.7 

South America

   (2,976   (3,445   13.6 

EMEA

   (3,336   (2,163   (54.2   (2,878   (3,452   16.6 

Asia Pacific

   (2,735   (2,364   (15.7   (2,347   (2,284   (2.8

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (950   (1,080   12.0    (1,016   (971   (4.6
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   (18,099   (15,171   (19.3   (16,807   (17,760   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)

The financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the changes in segment reporting, the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the figures reported above.

Our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were USD 16,807 million for the year ended 31 December 2018. This represented a decrease of USD 953 million, or 5.4%, as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 2018 reflect (i) the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 2017 and 2018, (ii) currency translation effects and (iii) the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.

-104-


The 2017 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 623 million for the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.

Our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended 31 December 2018 also reflect a positive currency translation impact of USD 448 million.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals described above, currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations, our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses in the year ended 31 December 2018 remained in line compared to the 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 2018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017:

   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)
   Change 
   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   40    33    21.2 

Middle Americas

   88    89    (1.1

South America

   267    373    (28.4

EMEA

   232    235    (1.3

Asia Pacific

   154    132    (16.7

Global Export and Holding Companies

   25    83    (69.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   805    946    (14.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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 completionThe financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the changes in segment reporting, the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SABAustralian operations as ofdiscontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were USD 18,099 million for the year ended 31 December 2017. This represented an increase of USD 2,928 million, or 19.3%, as compared to the year ended 31 December 2016. The results for the year ended 31 December 2017 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 2016 and 2017 and currency translation effects.

The combination with SAB, which was included from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016, 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 positively impacted our consolidated operating expenses by USD 91 million for the year ended 31 December 2017 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.

Our consolidated operating expenses for the year ended 31 December 2017 also reflect a negative currency translation impact of USD 131 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 in the year ended 31 December 2017 remained in line compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.

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 2017 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2016:

   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   36    39    (7.7

Latin America West

   89    75    18.7 

Latin America North

   361    328    10.1 

Latin America South

   13    20    (35.0

EMEA

   108    44    141.0 

Asia Pacific

   168    131    27.9 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   79    95    (17.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   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)

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.figures reported above.

The net positive effect of our other operating income and expenses for the year ended 31 December 20172018 was USD 854805 million. This represented an increasea decrease of USD 122141 million, or 16.5%14.9%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20172018 reflect a positive impact from(i) the combination with SABperformance of USD 134 million inour business after the first nine monthscompletion of 2017, a negative impact from othercertain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 2017 and 2018, (iii) currency translation effects and (iii) 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 11584 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 positivenegative currency translation impact of USD 2633 million.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals, and currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations described above, our net consolidated other operating income and expenses would have increaseddecreased by 12.5%2.6% for the year ended 31 December 20172018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2016,2017, driven primarily by the sale ofnon-core assets and a reduction in operating expenses.lower gains on disposals.

-105-


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 2017,2018, 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 20172018 and 2016:2017:

 

   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(1)
 
   (USD millions) 

Restructuring

   (468   (323

Acquisition costs of business combination

   (155   (448

Business and asset disposal

   (39   377 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   (662   (394
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

(1)

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.

   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
 
   (USD millions) 

Restructuring

   (363   (447

Acquisition costs of business combination

   (73   (123

Business and asset disposal

   (26   (39

Provision for EU investigation

   (230   —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   (692   (609

Restructuring

Exceptional restructuring charges amounted to a net cost of USD 468363 million for the year ended 31 December 20172018 as compared to a net cost of USD 323447 million for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. These charges primarily relate to the SAB integration. These changes aim to eliminate overlap or duplicated processes, taking into account the right match of employee profiles with new organizational 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 of Business Combinations

Acquisition costs of USD 15573 million for the year ended 31 December 20172018 as compared to a net cost of USD 123 million for the year ended 31 December 2017. These charges primarily relatedrelate to costs incurred to facilitate the combination with SAB.SAB and costs incurred to recover the Budweiser distribution rights in Argentina from CCU. See also note 15 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018 included in this Form20-F.

Business and Asset Disposal

Business and asset disposals amounted to a net cost of USD 26 million for the year ended 31 December 2018 as compared to a net cost of USD 39 million for the year ended 31 December 2017,2017. The 2018 charges are mainly attributable to the costs incurred to complete the disposalsIFRS treatment of the former SAB Central50:50 merger of AB InBev and Eastern Europe businessAnadolu Efes’ Russia and Ukraine businesses and related transaction cost. See also note 6 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as well as CCBAof 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 2017, partly offset by proceeds from prior years’ sale of SeaWorld to Blackstone.the 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.

-106-


Profit from Operations

The following table reflects changes in profit from operations across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20172018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2016:2017:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2017(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   5,490    5,412    1.5    5,355    5,495    (2.5

Latin America West

   3,743    2,240    67.0 

Latin America North

   3,314    2,981    11.1 

Latin America South

   1,375    1,228    12.0 

Middle Americas

   5,038    4,325    16.5 

South America

   3,689    4,153    (11.2

EMEA

   2,363    1,184    99.7    1,878    2,381    (21.1

Asia Pacific

   1,939    903    114.7    1,401    1,110    26.2 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (1,071   (1,066   (0.5   (946   (1,004   5.8 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   17,152    12,882    33.1    16,414    16,460    (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 completionThe financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the changes in segment reporting, the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SABAustralian operations as ofdiscontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the fourth quarter of 2016.figures reported above.

Our profit from operations amounted to USD 17,15216,414 million for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. This represented an increasea decrease of USD 4,27046 million, or 33.1%0.3%, as compared to our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20172018 reflect (i) the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20162017 and 2017,2018, (ii) currency translation effects and (iii) the effects of certain exceptional items as described above.

 

The combination with SAB, which was included from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016, positively impacted our consolidated profit from operations by USD 3,141 million in the first nine months of 2017.

The 2016 and 20172018 acquisitions and disposals described above and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations negatively impacted our consolidated profit from operations by USD 357480 million for the year ended 31 December 20172018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

 

Our consolidated profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 20172018 also reflects a positivenegative currency translation impact of USD 1121,033 million.

 

Our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 20172018 was negatively impacted by USD 662692 million of certain exceptional items, as compared to a negative impact of USD 394609 million for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. See “—Exceptional Items” above for a description of the exceptional items during the years ended 31 December 20172018 and 2016.2017.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals described above, the combination with SAB and currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations, our profit from operations increased by 10.9%9.1%.

-107-


EBITDA, as defined

The following table reflects changes in our EBITDA, as defined, for the year ended 31 December 20172018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2016:2017:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Profit of the year

   9,183    2,769    231.6    5,688    9,166    (37.9

Profit from discontinued operations

   (28   (48   (41.7   (531   (560   (5.2

Net finance cost

   6,507    8,564    (24.0   8,826    6,626    (33.2

Income tax expense

   1,920    1,613    19.0    2,585    1,658    (55.9

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

   (430   (16   —      (153   (430   (64.4
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Profit from operations

   17,152    12,882    33.1    16,414    16,460    (0.3

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   4,276    3,479    22.9    4,624    4,625    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

EBITDA, as defined

   21,429    16,361    31.0    21,038    21,085    (0.2
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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)

Following completionThe financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SABAustralian operations as ofdiscontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the fourth quarter of 2016.figures reported above.

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. See “—“–Year Ended 31 December 20182019 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2017—EBITDA, as defined” above for more information about our definition of 2018–EBITDA, as defined.

Our EBITDA, as defined, amounted to USD 21,42921,038 million for the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. This represented an increasea decrease of USD 5,06847 million, or 31.0%0.2%, as compared to our EBITDA, as defined, for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20172018 reflect (i) the performance of our business after the completion of the acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20162017 and 20172018 discussed above, the combination with SAB and(ii) currency translation effects.effects and (iii) the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations. Furthermore, our EBITDA, as defined, was negatively impacted by USD 656692 million (before impairment losses) of certain exceptional items in the year ended 31 December 2017,2018, as compared to a negative impact of USD 394609 million (before impairment losses) during the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. See “—Exceptional Items” above for a description of the exceptional items during the years ended 31 December 20172018 and 2016.2017.

Net Finance Cost

Our net finance cost items were as follows for the years ended 31 December 20172018 and 2016:2017:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Net interest expense

   (4,005   (3,519   (13.8   (3,785   (4,003   5.4 

Net interest on net defined benefit liabilities

   (101   (113   10.6    (94   (102   7.8 

Accretion expense

   (614   (648   5.2    (511   (736   30.6 

Mark-to-market (hedging of our share-based payment programs)

   (1,774   (291   —   

Other financial results

   (1,094   (928   (17.9   (680   (801   15.1 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net finance cost before exceptional finance results

   (6,844   (5,933   15.4 

-108-


  Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (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    (873   (146   —   

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    —      (849   (142   —   

Other

   (405   (398   (1.8   (260   (404   35.6 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Exceptional net finance income/(cost)

   (693   (3,356   79.4    (1,982   (692   —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net finance income/(cost)

   (6,507   (8,564   24.0    (8,826   (6,626   (33.2
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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)

Following completionThe financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SABAustralian operations as ofdiscontinued operations. The Australian discontinued operations are not included in the fourth quarter of 2016.figures reported above.

Our net finance cost for the year ended 31 December 20172018 was USD 6,5078,826 million, as compared to USD 8,5646,626 million for the year ended 31 December 2016,2017, representing a cost decreaseincrease of USD 2,0572,200 million.

The increase in net finance costs before exceptional financial items is driven primarily by the annualization impacta negativemark-to-market adjustment of the additional debt relatedUSD 1,774 million in 2018, linked to the SAB combination as well as the legacy SAB debt. Other financial results include net losses on hedging instruments, foreign exchange losses andof our share-based payment program, compared to a negativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 291 million in 2017, linked to the hedging of our share-based payment programs compared to a negativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 384 million for the period ended 31 December 2016.2017.

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 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 
   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 include a negativemark-to-market adjustment on exceptional equity derivatives of USD 2881,982 million related to the hedging of the deferred share instrument in connection 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 toinclude a negativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 4311,722 million on derivative instruments entered into to hedge the shares issued in relation to the combination with Grupo Modelo and SAB, compared to a total negativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 288 million for the period ended 31 December 2016.2017. 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 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.

   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 405260 million in 20172018 mainly relateresult from premiums paid on the early termination of 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, and accelerated accretion expenses associated to the repayment of a facilities agreement and the early redemption of certain notes.loans.

Share of Results of Associates and Joint Ventures

Our share of results of associates and joint ventures for the year ended 31 December 20172018 was USD 430153 million as compared to USD 16430 million for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017. The increase is mainly related toshare of results reported for our associate Castel in the combination with SAB.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.

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Income Tax Expense

Our total income tax expense for the year ended 31 December 20172018 amounted to USD 1,9202,585 million, with an effective tax rate of 18.0%34.1%, as compared to an income tax expense of USD 1,6131,658 million and an effective tax rate of 37.4%16.9% for the year ended 31 December 2016.2017.

For a discussionThe 2018 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 additionalre-measurementnon-deductible of current and deferredexpenses in 2018.

The 2017 taxes resulting fromwere positively impacted by a USD 1.8 billion adjustment recognized as an exceptional gain following the U.S. tax reform see “—Year Ended 31enacted on 22 December 2018 Compared2017. 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 and certain deferred tax assets following the change in federal tax rate from 35% to the Year Ended 31 December 2017—Income Tax Expense.”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 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 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.

The 2016 effectiveIn 2018, we finalized the remeasurement of current and deferred taxes resulting from the U.S. tax rate was negatively impacted byreform 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 thenon-deductible negativemark-to-market adjustment related year ended 31 December 2018. For additional information, see notes 12 and 18 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and for the hedging of the purchase price of the combination with SAB that could not qualify for hedge accounting.three years ended 31 December 2018.

The merger of Beverage Associates Holding Limited into Ambev in August 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 2017 by USD 53 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. 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 1,1871,318 million for the year ended 31 December 2017, a decrease2018, an increase of USD 341142 million from USD 1,5281,176 million for the year ended 31 December 2016, primarily due to the impact of the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program entered into by Ambev, as discussed above.2017.

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Profit Attributable to Our Equity Holders

Profit attributable to our equity holders for the year ended 31 December 20172018 was USD 7,9964,370 million compared to USD 1,2417,990 million for the year ended 31 December 2016,2017, with basic earnings per share of USD 4.06,2.21, based on 1,9711,975 million shares outstanding, representing the weighted average number of ordinary and Restricted Shares outstanding during the year ended 31 December 2017.2018. 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 20172018 would have been USD 7,9676,248 million, and basic earnings per share would have been USD 4.04.3.16.

Underlying EPS for the year ended 31 December 2018 was USD 4.10 compared to USD 3.90 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 increasedecrease in profit attributable to our equity holders in the year ended 31 December 20172018 was primarily due to a higher negativemark-to-market adjustment linked to the increased profit, the timinghedging 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,our share-based payment programs and higher exceptional net finance cost in the year ended 31 December 2016. Profit attributable2018 compared 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 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.

   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
 
   (USD per share) 

Profit from operations excluding exceptional items and hyperinflation impacts

   8.78    8.66 

Hyperinflation impacts

   (0.11   —   

Profit from operations excluding exceptional items

   8.66    8.66 

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

   (2.57   (2.86

Income tax expense

   (1.43   (1.25

Associates &non-controlling interest

   (0.61   (0.65

Earnings per share excluding exceptional items and discontinued operations

   3.16    3.75 

Mark-to-market (hedging of our share-based payment programs)

   0.90    0.15 

Hyperinflation impacts in earnings per share

   0.04    —   

Underlying EPS

   4.10    3.90 

Earnings per share excluding exceptional items and discontinued operations

   3.16    3.75 

Exceptional items, before taxes

   (0.35   (0.31

Exceptional net finance cost, before taxes

   (1.00   (0.35

Exceptional taxes

   0.12    0.41 

Exceptional items attributable tonon-controlling interest

   0.02    0.27 

Profit from discontinued operations

   0.27    0.28 

Basic earnings per share

   2.21    4.05 

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 “—See”–Year Ended 31 December 20182019 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2017—2018–Profit Attributable to Equity Holders” above for more information about our definition of Underlying EPS.

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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 310 million negative impact of hyperinflation accounting on our consolidated revenue and USD 164 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

(568

Total

(310

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

(272

Total

(164

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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.

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 theyear-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 and discontinued operations of USD 0.04.

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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 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016:2017:

 

  Year ended 31 December,   Year ended 31 December, 
  2018 2017 2016   2019 2018 2017 

U.S. dollar

   28.6 27.5 33.1   30.2 29.7 28.5

Brazilian real

   13.6 14.5 15.8   14.1 14.0 15.0

Chinese yuan

   8.7 7.5 8.9   9.1 8.9 7.7

Mexican peso

   8.1 7.0 9.3   9.0 8.3 7.3

Euro

   6.1 5.5 6.6   6.1 6.2 5.7

Colombian peso

   4.3 3.8 1.4   4.2 4.4 3.9

South African rand

   4.1 6.2 2.7   4.1 4.2 6.5

Canadian dollar

   3.4 3.3 4.1   3.4 3.5 3.4

Australian dollar

   3.2 3.0 0.8

Peruvian peso

   3.1 3.0 2.7

South Korean won

   2.9 2.5 2.9   2.5 3.0 2.7

Peruvian peso

   2.9 2.6 0.8

Argentinean peso(1)

   2.7 3.5 3.5   2.3 2.7 3.7

Pound sterling

   2.1 1.7 1.8   2.3 2.2 1.8

Dominican peso

   1.6 1.5 1.9   1.9 1.7 1.6

Other

   7.7 9.9 6.4   7.7 8.2 9.5

 

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 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016:2017:

 

We recorded a negative translation impact, including hyperinflation accounting impact of USD 2,3022,664 million on our revenue for the year ended 31 December 20182019 (as compared to a negative translation impact of USD 1,823 million in 2018 and a positive translation impact of USD 347 million in 2017 and a negative impact of USD 2,794 million in 2016)2017) and a negative translation impact, including hyperinflation accounting impact, of USD 1,103820 million on our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 20182019 (as compared to a positivenegative translation impact of USD 1121,033 million on our profit from operations in 20172018 and a negativepositive impact of USD 1,004112 million in 2016)2017).

 

Our reported profit of the year was negatively affected by a USD 684632 million translation impact, including hyperinflation accounting impact, for the year ended 31 December 20182019 (as compared to a negative translation of USD 766 million in 2018 and a positive translation impact of USD 126 million in 2017 and a negative translation impact of USD 649 million in 2016)2017), while the negative translation impact, including hyperinflation accounting impact, on our basic earnings per share base for the year ended 31 December 20182019 was USD 527 million, or USD 0.27 per share (as compared to a negative impact of USD 505 million, or USD 0.26 per share, (as compared toin 2018 and 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, in 2016)2017).

Our net debt decreased by USD 2.1 billion444 million in the year ended 31 December 20182019 as a result of translation impacts (as compared to a decrease of USD 932 million in 2018 and an increase of USD 4,184 million in 2017 and a decrease of USD 349 million in 2016)2017).

 

Equity attributable to our equity holders decreasedincreased by USD 7,3791,143 million in the year ended 31 December 20182019 as a result of translation impacts (as compared to a decrease of USD 7,374 million in 2018 and an increase of USD 1,053 million in 2017 and a decrease of USD 3,265 million in 2016)2017).

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See note 29 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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 84.6 billion as of 31 December 2019 (USD 71.9 billion as of 31 December 2018 (USDand USD 80.2 billion as of 31 December 2017 and USD 81.4 billion as of 31 December 2016)2017) and our net debt amounted to USD 102.595.5 billion as of 31 December 2019 (USD 104.2 billion as of 31 December 2018 (USD 104.4and USD 106.5 billion as of 31 December 2017 and USD 107.9 billion as of 31 December 2016)2017). 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.

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 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;

 

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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 2022. As of 31 December 2018,2019, the revolving facility was fully undrawn. In March 2020, we drew the full USD 9.0 billion commitment under our Revolving Facility, in order to proactively safeguard our liquidity position by holding cash on our balance sheet through the period of significant financial market volatility and uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

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, 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 20182019 amounted to USD 7.07.3 billion.

As of 31 December 2018,2019, we had total liquidity of USD 16.016.3 billion, which consisted of USD 9.0 billion available under committed long-term credit facilities and USD 7.07.3 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 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016:2017:

 

  Year ended 31 December
(audited)
   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
  2018   2017   2016(1)   2019   2018(1)   2017(1) 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Cash flow from operating activities

   14,663    15,430    10,110    13,396    14,181    14,920 

Cash flow from (used in) investing activities

   (3,965   7,854    (60,077   (5,073   (3,857   7,865 

Cash flow from (used in) financing activities

   (13,945   (21,004   50,731    (8,512   (14,327   (21,334
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (3,247   2,280    764 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents on continuing operations

   (189   (4,003   1,451 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents on discontinued operations

   539    755    827 

 

Note:

 

(1)

Following completionThe financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the changes in segment reporting, the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SABAustralian operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.discontinued operations.

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Cash Flow from Operating Activities

Our cash flows from operating activities for the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 were as follows:

 

  Year ended 31 December
(audited)
   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
  2018   2017   2016(2)   2019   2018(2)   2017(2) 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Profit of the year

   5,691    9,183    2,769 

Profit from continuing operations of the year

   9,990    5,157    8,606 

Interest, taxes andnon-cash items included in profit

   15,870    12,484    13,572    11,029    16,070    12,720 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and provisions

   21,561    21,667    16,341    21,019    21,227    21,326 

Change in working capital(1)

   512    219    173    (5   477    135 

Pension contributions and use of provisions

   (488   (616   (470   (715   (487   (576

Interest and taxes (paid)/received

   (7,064   (5,982   (5,977   (7,063   (7,177   (6,106

Dividends received

   141    142    43    160    141    142 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

   14,663    15,430    10,110    13,396    14,181    14,920 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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 completionThe financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results of the retained SABAustralian operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.discontinued operations.

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 results 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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 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 from/(used in) Financing Activities” below.

Cash flow from operating activities in 20182019 decreased by USD 767785 million, or 4.9%5.5%, from USD 15,430 million in 2017 to USD 14,66314,181 million in 2018 to USD 13,396 million in 2019, mainly explained by lower changes in working capital and higher taxes paiduse of provisions in 20182019 compared to 2017, including2018. The increased use of provisions was mainly driven by 226m US dollar payment in 2019 in relation to the payment of taxes related to prior periods.European Commission investigation announced in 2018.

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 512 million toreduced our operational cash flow in 2018.2019 by USD 5 million. This contributiondecrease includes USD 44576 million cash inflow from derivatives.

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Cash flow from operating activities in 2017 increased2018 decreased by USD 5,320739 million, or 53%5.0%, from USD 10,11014,920 million in 20162017 to USD 15,43014,181 million in 2017,2018, mainly explained by higher profittaxes paid in 2018 compared to 2017, including the payment of the year following the SAB combination in the fourth quarter 2016.taxes related to prior periods.

Cash Flow used in Investing Activities

Our cash flows used in investing activities for the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 were as follows:

 

  Year ended 31 December
(audited)
   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
  2018   2017   2016(2)   2019   2018(2)   2017(2) 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Net capital expenditure(1)

   (4,649   (4,124   (4,768   (4,854   (4,568   (4,142

Acquisition of SAB, net of cash acquired

   —      —      (65,166

Net of tax proceeds from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   (430   8,248    16,342    —      (430   8,248 

Acquisition and sale of subsidiaries and associates, net of cash acquired / disposed of

   145    (556   (792   (252   173    (529

Proceeds from the sale of / (investment in) short-term debt securities

   1,296    4,337    (5,583   (9   1,296    4,337 

Other

   (327   (51   (110   42    (328   (47
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash flow from (used in) investing activities

   (3,965   7,854    (60,077   (5,073   (3,857   7,865 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

Net capital expenditure consists of acquisitions of plant, property and equipment and of intangible assets, minus proceeds from sale.

(2)

Following completionThe financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the classification of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results of the retained SABAustralian operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.discontinued operations.

Cash flow used in investing activities was USD 3,9655,073 million in 20182019 as compared to USD 7,8543,857 million cash flow from investing activities in 2018. The cash flow from investing activities in 2019 mainly reflected lower proceeds from the sale of short-term debt securities. The 2018 cash flow used in investing activities was negatively impacted by the payments related to the recovery of the Budweiser distribution rights in Argentina as well as payments onSAB-related divestitures which were not repeated in 2019.

Our net capital expenditures amounted to USD 4,854 million in 2019 and USD 4,568 million in 2018. Out of the total 2019 capital expenditures approximately 42% was used to improve the company’s production facilities while 43% was used for logistics and commercial investments and 15% was used for improving administrative capabilities and for the purchase of hardware and software.

Cash flow used in investing activities was USD 3,857 million in 2018 as compared to cash inflow of USD 7,865 million for 2017. The cash flowinflow from investing activities in 2017 mainly reflected the proceeds from the announcedSAB-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 4,649 million in 2018 and USD 4,124 million in 2017. Out of the total 2018 capital expenditures approximately 48% was used to improve our 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.

Cash flow from investing activities was USD 7,854 million in 2017 as compared to USD 60,077 million cash flow used in 2016. The 2017 cash flow from investing activities mainly reflects the proceeds from the announced divestitures completed during 2017, net of 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 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 were as follows:

 

   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
   2018   2017   2016(2) 
   (USD millions) 

Dividends paid(1)

   (7,761   (9,275   (8,450

Net (payments on) / proceeds from borrowings

   (4,707   (9,957   62,675 

Other (including net financing costs other than interest)

   (1,477   (1,772   (3,494
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow from (used in) financing activities

   (13,945   (21,004   50,731 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
   2019   2018(2)   2017(2) 
   (USD millions) 

Dividends paid(1)

   (5,015   (7,761   (9,275

Net (payments on) / proceeds from borrowings

   (8,008   (4,707   (9,981

Proceeds from public offering of minority stake in Budweiser APAC

   5,575    —      —   

Payments of lease liabilities

   (441   (423   (372

Other (including net financing costs other than interest)

   (623   (1,436   (1,705
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow from (used in) financing activities

   (8,512   (14,327   (21,333
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

Dividends paid in 2019 consisted primarily of USD 4.0 billion paid by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and USD 0.7 billion paid by Ambev. 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.

(2)

Following completionThe financial information for 2018 and 2017 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results of the retained SABAustralian operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.discontinued operations.

Cash flow used in financing activities amounted to USD 13,9458,512 million in 2018,2019, as compared to a cash flow used in financing activities of USD 21,00414,327 million in 2017.2018. 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 21,00414,327 million in 2017,2018, as compared to a cash flow fromused in financing activities of USD 50,73121,333 million in 2016.2017. The cash flow used in financing activities in 20172018 reflects dividends paid and payments on borrowings.

For more information on the financing activities related to long-term debt issuances in 20172018 and 2018,2019, see “—Funding Sources—Borrowings.”Borrowings” below. Please also refer to note 24 of our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

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 15.3%13.5% of our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 2018,2019, 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. As at 31 December 2018,2019, 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%.

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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 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 were as follows:

 

   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
   2018   2017   2016(1) 
   (USD millions) 

Cash and cash equivalents

   7,074    10,472    8,579 

Bank overdrafts

   (114   (117   (184

Investment in short-term debt securities

   87    1,304    5,659 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

   7,047    11,659    14,054 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

(1)

Following completion of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results of the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

   Year ended 31 December
(derived from audited financial statements)
 
   2019   2018   2017 
   (USD millions) 

Cash and cash equivalents

   5,002    4,841    6,576 

Bank overdrafts

   (68   (114   (117

Investment in short-term debt securities

   2,236    2,233    3,896 

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

   7,169    6,960    10,355 

Borrowings

During 2018, we issued2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. (“ABIWW”) and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (“ABISA”) completed the issuance of the following series of bonds (excluding the issuances related to our exchange offers, as described below):bonds:

 

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

Issue date

 

Issuer

(Abbreviated)

 

Maturity Date

 

Currency

 

Aggregate

principal amount

(in USD millions)

 

Interest rate

23 Jan 2019

 ABIWW 23 Jan 2025 USD 2,500 4.150%

23 Jan 2019

 ABIWW 23 Jan 2029 USD 4,250 4.750%

23 Jan 2019

 ABIWW 23 Jan 2031 USD    750 4.900%

23 Jan 2019

 ABIWW 23 Jan 2039 USD 2,000 5.450%

23 Jan 2019

 ABIWW 23 Jan 2049 USD 4,000 5.550%

23 Jan 2019

 ABIWW 23 Jan 2059 USD 2,000 5.800%

29 Mar 2019

 ABISA 1 Jul 2027 EUR 1,250 1.125%

29 Mar 2019

 ABISA 28 Mar 2031 EUR 1,000 1.650%

Furthermore, in 2018,On 11 February 2019, we completed the following early redemptions, exchangetender offers and credit facilities cancellation:

On 19 March 2018, our wholly owned subsidiary, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., exercised its respective option to redeem in full the entire outstanding principal amount of certaintwelve 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., exercised their respective options to redeem in full the entire outstanding principal amount of certain series of notes, consisting of USD 2,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2020 bearing interest at an annual rate of 5.375%; USD 300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2019 bearing interest at an annual rate of 5.000%; USD 4,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2019 bearing interest at an annual rate of 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%.

On 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 1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2020 bearing interest at an annual rate of 5.000%.

On 26 November 2018, we completed United States private exchange offers for the outstanding notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. (“ABIFI”), ABIWW and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC (“ABC”) and repurchased USD 16.3 billion aggregate principal amount of these notes. The total principal amount accepted in the tender offers is set out in the table below.

Date of

redemption

  Issuer
(abbreviated)
  

Title of series of notes

issued exchanged

  Currency  Original principal amount outstanding
(in USD millions)
  Principal amount redeemed
(in USD millions)
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  2.650% Notes due 2021  USD  4,968  2,519
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  Floating Rate Notes due 2021  USD  500  189
11 Feb 2019  ABIWW  4.375% Notes due 2021  USD  500  215

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Date of

redemption

  Issuer
(abbreviated)
  

Title of series of notes

issued exchanged

  Currency  Original principal amount outstanding
(in USD millions)
  Principal amount redeemed
(in USD millions)
11 Feb 2019  ABIWW  3.750% Notes due 2022  USD  2,350  1,101
11 Feb 2019  ABIWW  2.500% Notes due 2022  USD  3,000  1,296
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  2.625% Notes due 2023  USD  1,250  607
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  3.300% Notes due 2023  USD  6,000  2,886
11 Feb 2019  ABIWW  Floating Rate Notes due 2024  USD  500  271
11 Feb 2019  ABIWW  3.500% Notes due 2024  USD  1,500  846
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  3.700% Notes due 2024  USD  1,400  535
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  3.650% Notes due 2026  USD  2,445  812
11 Feb 2019  ABC  3.650% Notes due 2026  USD  8,555  5,064

Furthermore, in 2019, we redeemed the outstanding principal amounts indicated in the table below of the following series of notes issued by ABISA, ABIFI and ABIWW:

Date of

redemption

  Issuer
(abbreviated)
  

Title of series of notes

issued exchanged

  Currency  Aggregate principal amount outstanding
(in USD millions)
  Principal amount redeemed
(in USD millions)

25 Apr 2019

  ABISA  2.25% Notes due 2020  EUR  750  750

25 Apr 2019

  ABIWW  3.750% Notes due 2022  USD  1,249  1 249

25 Apr 2019

  ABIFI  3.300% Notes due 2023  USD  3,114  315

29 Oct 2019

  ABISA  0.625% Notes due 2020  EUR  1,750  1,750

29 Oct 2019

  ABIFI  2.650% Notes due 2021  USD  2,449  2,449

29 Oct 2019

  ABIWW  2.500% Notes due 2022  USD  1,704  525

12 Nov 2019

  ABIWW  2.500% Notes due 2022  USD  1,179  725

On 15 May 2019, we completed United StatesSEC-registered exchange offers for the outstanding unregistered notes issued by ABC and ABIWW listed below in exchange for a combination of newSEC-registered notes on substantially identical terms issued by Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC,ABC and Anheuser-Busch Worldwide Inc. and cash,ABIWW, for a total principal amount of notes exchanged of USD 23.518.2 billion:

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.

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  millions)
 

4.900% Notes due 2046

   9,543    9,519    24 

4.700% Notes due 2036

   5,385    5,342    44 

3.650% Notes due 2026

   3,491    3,336    155 

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 (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 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 2018, the Revolving Facility was fully undrawn.

The terms of the Revolving Facility as well as their intended uses, are described under “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts.”

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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, 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 40.040 billion (USD 45.845 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 2018,2019, the total outstanding debt under the EMTN Programme amounted to EUR 2429 billion (USD 27.532 billion). 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 1.03 billion (USD 1.53.4 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 3.05.0 billion. As of 31 December 2018,2019, the total outstanding commercial paper under these programs amounted to USD 1.11.6 billion. Our ability to borrow additional amounts under the programs is subject to investor demand. If we are ever unable to refinance under these 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 2018,2019, after certain hedging and fair value adjustments, USD 79.7 billion, or 1.8%9.4%, of our interest-bearing financial liabilities (which include loans, borrowings and bank overdrafts) bore a variable interest rate, while USD 102.993.4 billion, or 98.2%90.6%, 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 20182019 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2017—2018—EBITDA, as defined.”

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We have also entered into certain financial instruments in order to mitigate interest rate risks.

Please refer to note 29 of our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018,2019, “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 2018. The 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement does not include restrictive financial covenants. For further details regarding our total current andnon-current liabilities, please refer to note 24 of our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

The following table sets forth the level of our current andnon-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 

  Year ended 31 December (audited)   Year ended 31 December (audited) 
  2018   2017   2019   2018 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Secured bank loans

   479    502    861    479 

Commercial papers

   1,142    1,870    1,599    1,142 

Unsecured bank loans

   108    892    185    108 

Unsecured bond issues

   107,796    112,837    98,206    107,796 

Unsecured other loans

   71    68    97    71 

Finance lease liabilities

   204    213 

Lease liabilities(1)

   2,025    1,985 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   109,800    116,382    102,974    111,581 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Note:

(1)

The financial information for 2018 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application.

The following table sets forth the contractual maturities of our interest-bearing liabilities as of 31 December 2018:2019:

 

  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

   479    370    38    14    26    31    861    790    14    14    16    27 

Commercial papers

   1,142    1,142    —      —      —      —      1,599    1,599    —      —      —      —   

Unsecured bank loans

   108    22    —      86    —      —      185    135    50    —      —      —   

Unsecured bond issues

   107,796    2,626    5,259    8,039    17,180    74,692    98,206    2,532    2,506    2,760    11,435    78,973 

Unsecured other loans

   71    14    18    7    9    23    98    21    13    8    4    52 

Finance lease liabilities

   204    42    19    17    12    114 

Lease liabilities

   2,025    333    290    198    225    979 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   109,800    4,216    5,334    8,163    17,227    74,860    102,974    5,410    2,873    2,980    11,680    80,031 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

“Carrying Amount” refers to net book value as recognized on the balance sheet at 31 December 2018.2019.

Please refer to note 29 of our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 for a description of the currencies of our financial liabilities and a description of the financial instruments we use to hedge our liabilities.

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Credit Rating

As of the date of this Form20-F, our credit rating from Standard & Poor’sS&P wasA- for long-term obligations andA-2 for short-term obligations, with a Negativestable outlook, and our credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service was Baa1 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 4,6494,854 million during 2019 on acquiring capital assets (net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets). Out of the total capital expenditures of 2019, approximately 42% was used to improve our production facilities while 43% was used for logistics and commercial investments. Approximately 15% was used for improving administrative capabilities and purchase of hardware and software.

We spent USD 4,568 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%52% was used to improve our production facilities while 42%38% was used for logistics and commercial investments. Approximately 10% was used for improving administrative capabilities and purchase of hardware and software.

We spent USD 4,1244,142 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%47% was used to improve our production facilities while 30%43% was used for logistics and commercial investments. Approximately 25%10% 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 totalThe above information relates to capital expenditures of 2016, approximately 50% was usedwith respect to improve our production facilities while 34% was usedcontinuing operations only, and excludes the Australian operations accounted for logistics and commercial investments. Approximately 16% was used for improving administrative capabilities and purchase of hardware and software.as disctontinued operations.

Our capital expenditures are primarily funded through cash from operating activities.

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 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016.2017. See also note 6 and note 8 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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) 
   2018   2017 
   (USD million) 

Non-current interest bearing loans and borrowings

   105,584    108,949 

Current interest bearing loans and borrowings

   4,216    7,433 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   109,800    116,382 

Bank overdrafts

   114    117 

Cash and cash equivalents

   (7,074   (10,472

Interest-bearing loans granted (included within Trade and other receivables)

   (267   (309

Non-current and current debt securities (included within Investment securities)(1)

   (111   (1,328
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt

   102,462    104,390 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   31 December (audited)(2) 
   2019   2018(2) 
   (USD million) 

Non-current interest bearing loans and borrowings

   97,564    106,997 

Current interest bearing loans and borrowings

   5,410    4,584 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   102,974    111,581 

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   31 December (audited)(2) 
   2019   2018(2) 
   (USD million) 

Bank overdrafts

   68    114 

Cash and cash equivalents

   (7,238   (7,074

Interest-bearing loans granted (included within Trade and other receivables)

   (146   (267

Non-current and current debt securities (included within Investment securities)(1)

   (117   (111
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt

   95,542    104,242 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

See note 24 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

(2)

The financial information for 2018 has been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application.

Net debt as of 31 December 2019 was USD 95.5 billion, a decrease of USD 8.7 billion as compared to 31 December 2018. Apart from operating results net of capital expenditures, the net debt is impacted mainly by the payment of interests and taxes (USD 7.1 billion increase of net debt), the settlement of derivatives (USD 0.8 billion increase of net debt), dividend payments to shareholders of AB InBev and Ambev (USD 5.0 billion increase of net debt) and the net proceeds of the IPO of Budweiser APAC (USD 5.6 billion decrease of net debt).

Net debt as of 31 December 2018 was USD 102,5104.2 billion, a decrease of USD 1.92.3 billion as compared to 31 December 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 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 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 debtConsolidated equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev as of 31 December 20172019 was USD 104.4 billion,75,722 million, compared to USD 64,485 million as of 31 December 2018. The increase in equity is primarily related to the combined effect of the strengthening of mainly the closing rates of Mexican pesos, South African rand, Canadian dollar and weakening of euro and Brazilian real resulted in a decreaseforeign exchange translation adjustment of USD 3.6 billion1,143 million as compared toof 31 December 2016. Apart from operating results net of capital expenditures, the net debt is mainly impacted by the proceeds from the announced divestitures completed during 2017 (USD 11.7 billion), the payment of taxes on disposals completed in 2016 (USD 3.4 billion), dividend payments to shareholders of AB InBev and Ambev (USD 9.3 billion), the payment of interests and taxes (USD 6.0 billion) and the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates (USD 4.2 billion increase of net debt).2019.

Consolidated equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev as at 31 December 2018 was USD 64,48664,485 million, compared to USD 72,58572,576 million as at 31 December 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,euro, which resulted in a foreign exchange translation adjustment of USD 7,3797,374 million as atof 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 Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Chinese yuan, the euro, the Mexican peso, the Peruvian nuevo sol, the South 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 positive foreign exchange translation adjustment of USD 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

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 2018.2019.

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H. CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contractual Obligations

The following table reflects certain of our financial contractual obligations, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods, as of 31 December 2018:12019:

 

      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

   (496 (383 (39 (15 (27 (31   (890 (795 (18 (18 (22 (37

Commercial papers

   (1,142 (1,142  —     —     —     —      (1,599 (1,599  —     —     —     —   

Unsecured bank loans

   (135 (33 (6 (96  —     —      (188 (140 (47 (1  —     —   

Unsecured bond issues

   (165,979 (6,410 (9,146 (11,636 (23,672 (115,115   (165,424 (5,513 (6,415 (6,518 (18,605 (128,373

Unsecured other loans

   (110 (19 (22 (12 (12 (44   (131 (27 (17 (9 (5 (72

Finance lease liabilities

   (316 (62 (37 (33 (33 (151

Lease liabilities

   (2,338 (404 (350 (243 (285 (1,056

Bank overdraft

   (114 (114  —     —     —     —      (68 (68  —     —     —     —   

Operating lease liabilities

   (1,654 (323 (193 (233 (351 (554

Purchase commitments

   (6,539 (3,744 (1,365 (917 (323 (189

Trade and other payables

   (24,722 (22,557 (260 (1,060 (333 (513   (25,152 (22,861 (1,227 (472 (165 (428
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total(1)

   (200,215 (34,021 (10,990 (13,972 (24,697 (116,535   (195,790  (31,407  (8,074  (7,261  (19,082  (129,966
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

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 29 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018,2019, 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 2018 and 2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019. 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 20192020 onwards. In 2018,2019, our employer contributions to defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans amounted to USD 423395 million. Contributions to defined benefit pension plans for 20192020 are estimated to be approximately USD 246325 million for our funded defined

1

Bracketed figures pending final confirmation.

benefit plans, and USD 7381 million in benefit payments to our unfunded defined benefit plans and post-retirement medical plans. Please refer to note 25 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 for further information on our employee benefit obligations.

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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 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 

  Year ended 31 December
(audited)
   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
  2018   2017   2019   2018 
  (USD million)   (USD million) 

Collateral given for own liabilities

   404    426    372    404 

Collateral and financial guarantees received for own receivables and loans to customers

   335    326 

Contractual commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment

   416    550    457    416 

Contractual commitments to acquire loans to customers

   171    16    151    171 

Other commitments

   1,973    1,834    1,911    1,973 

As at 31 December 2018,2019, the following M&A related commitments existed:

 

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 closed in January 2018 resulting in Ambev’s participation in CND increasing from 55% to 85%. As at 31 December 2018,2019, the put option was valued USD 0.7 billion (2018: USD 0.6 billion (2017: USD 1.7 billion before the exercisebillion).

Upon the combination with SAB, we maintained South African Breweries’ Zenzele share-scheme which supports broad-based black economic empowerment(B-BBEE) and provides opportunities for black South Africans (including employees and SAB retailers) to participate as shareholders. The Zenzele share-scheme originally implemented by SAB in 2010, was amended at the time of the SAB combination and will expire in April 2020. We will settle the obligations that arise under the Zenzele share-scheme upon its expiration using our treasury shares. The obligation is estimated to be approximately ZAR 9.8 billion (USD 0.7 billion8). The number of our shares required to settle the obligation will depend on our share price and ZAR to Euro exchange rate at the time of the settlement. The settlement would be equivalent to 8.5 million of our shares assuming our share price and the ZAR Euro exchange rate as at 31 December 2019.9

As part of the put option by ELJSAB transaction, we made a commitment to the South African Government and Competition Authorities to create a newB-BBEE scheme upon maturity in January 2018).2020 of SAB’s current Zenzele Scheme. In order to create the newB-BBEE scheme the following steps will be undertaken:

 

On 11 October 2016, we were notifiedThe new scheme will be implemented through the listing of a NewCo (which will be called Zenzele Kabili) on the Johannesburg Stock ExchangeB-BBEE Exchange;

The NewCo will hold unencumbered our shares;

Existing Zenzele participants (employees, retailers and the SAB Foundation) will be given an option to reinvest a portion of their Zenzele payout into the Newco;

A new Employee Share Plan, funded by AB InBev, will subscribe for NewCo shares.

The Coca-Cola Company of its intentionnew scheme is estimated to transition our stakerequire ZAR 4.4 billion (USD 0.3 billion10) in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (“CCBA”). On 21 December 2016, we reached an agreement withfacilitation and notional vendor funding. The Coca-Cola Company regarding the transitionsettlement would be equivalent to 3.8 million of our 54.5%shares assuming the share price and the ZAR Euro exchange rate as at 31 December 201911 and it will be funded with our treasury shares. This scheme arrangement meets the criteria under IFRS 2 to be classified as 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 carbonated soft drink businesses in Zambia and Botswana to The Coca-Cola Company and entered into agreements to sell all of our carbonated soft drink business in eSwatini (Swaziland) and 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 that will become effective upon the closing of the El Salvador and Honduras brand divestitures. In addition, together with The Coca-Cola Company, we continue to work towards finalizing the terms and conditions for The Coca-Cola Company to acquire our interest in the bottling operations in Zimbabwe and Lesotho. These transactions are subject to the relevant regulatory and shareholder approvals in the different jurisdictions.settled.

8

Converted at the December 2019 closing rate.

9

Assuming the December 2019 closing share price of 72.71 euro per share and 31 December 2019 ZAR per Euro exchange rate of 15.777300.

10

Converted at the December 2019 closing rate.

11

Assuming the December 2019 closing share price of 72.71 euro per share and 31 December 2019 ZAR per Euro exchange rate of 15.777300.

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Please refer to note 31 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

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 31 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

In order to fulfill our commitments under various outstanding stock option plans, we entered into stock lending arrangements for up to 2030 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 2018, 202019, 28.9 million loaned securities were used to fulfill our stock option plan commitments. Please also refer to note 26 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31  December 2018.2019.

J. OUTLOOK AND TREND INFORMATION

In 2019, we expect to deliver strong revenue and EBITDA, as defined (adjusted for exceptional items), growth, driven byOn 27 February 2020, in connection with the solid performancerelease of our brand portfolio and strong commercial plans. Our growth model is even more focusedfourth quarter results, we announced an outlook for 2020, which included guidance as of that date on category expansion, targeting a more balancedtop-line growth between volume and revenue per hl. We expect to deliver revenue per hl growth aheadthe impact of inflation based on premiumization and revenue management initiatives, while keeping costs (sum of cost of sales plus selling, general and administrative costs) below inflation.

We expectCOVID-19; our performance expectations for the year; our cost of sales per hl to increase bymid-single digits, with currency and commodity headwinds to be offset by cost management initiatives.

We maintainhectoliter growth; our USD 3.2 billion synergy and cost savings expectation on a constant currency basis as of August 2016. From this total, USD 547 million was reported by former SAB as of 31 March 2016, and USD 2,391 million was captured between 1 April 2016 and 31 December 2018. The balance of roughly USD 250 million is expected to be captured by the end of 2019.

We expect the average gross debt coupon in 2019 to be between 3.75% and 4.00%. Net pension interest expenses and accretion expenses including IFRS 16Lease adjustments are expected to be approximately USD 160 million per quarter. Netnet finance costs, will continue to be impacted by any gains and losses related to the hedging of our share-based payment programs.

We expecteffective tax rate; our net capital expenditureexpenditure; our debt position and our dividend outlook (the “2020 Outlook”). That 2020 Outlook reflected our assessment at that time. Since 27 February 2020, the scale and magnitude of between USD 4.0COVID-19 has increased significantly, resulting in restrictions imposed on many customers, as well as other limitations and 4.5 billionsocial distancing measures in 2019.many countries in mid-March 2020. Given the uncertainty, volatility and fast-moving developments of the pandemic in the markets in which we operate, on 23 March 2020, we withdrew the 2020 Outlook in its entirety because of the impact of COVID-19.

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Approximately 44% of our gross debt is denominated in currencies other than the 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 expect dividends to be a growing flow over time, although growth in the short term is expected to be modest given 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 SolutionsTechnology Officer, Chief External AffairsPeople and StrategyTransformation Officer and General CounselChief Legal and CompanyCorporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary. Thereafter, our senior leadership team includes all members ofOur Board is assisted by four main committees: the ExecutiveAudit Committee, all other functional chiefsthe Finance Committee, the Remuneration Committee 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.Nomination Committee. See “—C. Board Practices—Information About Our Committees.”

Board of Directors

Role and Responsibilities, Composition, Structure and Organization

The role and responsibilities of our Board of Directors and its composition, structure and organization are described in detail in our corporate governance charter (“Corporate Governance CharterCharter”), which is available on our website:https://www.ab-inbev.com/investors/corporate-governance.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 boardBoard of directors;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:

 

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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 boardBoard of directorsDirectors 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 boardBoard of Directors and subsequently elected at our shareholders’ meeting. Directors (other than the Restricted Share Directors) are appointed for a maximum term of four 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.

IndependentUnder article 7:87 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations (the “Belgian Companies Code”), the independence of 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 applyis assessed by taking into consideration the criteria of independence provided by Belgian company law). Based on the provisionsset out in Principle 3.5 of the 2020 Belgian Corporate Governance Code, of March 2009 and the Belgian Company Code, the requirements of independence contained in our Corporate Governance Charterwhich are the following:

 

the director is not an executive, or managing directorexercising a function as a person entrusted with the daily management of usthe company or an associateda related 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 companyperson, and has not been in such a position for the previous three years;years before their appointment and is no longer enjoying stock options of the company related to this position;

the director has not served for a total term of more than twelve years as a board member;

the director is not an employee of the senior management of the company or a related company or person, and has not been in such a position for the previous three years before their appointment and is no longer enjoying stock options of the company related to this position;

the director is not receiving, or has not received during their mandate or for a period of three years prior to their appointment, any significant remuneration or any other significant advantage of a patrimonial nature from the company or a related company or person, apart from any fee they receive or have received as anon-executive board member;

 

the director does not receive significant additional remunerationhold shares, either directly or benefits from usindirectly, either alone or an associatedin concert, representing globallyone-tenth or more of the company’s capital orone-tenth or more of the voting rights in the company apart from a fee received asnon-executive director;

at the director ismoment of appointment and not the representative of a controlling shareholder orhas not been nominated, in any circumstances, by a shareholder with a shareholding of more than 10%, or a director or executive officer of such a shareholder;fulfilling the conditions covered above;

 

the director does not havemaintain, or has not had withinmaintained in the financial reportedpast year before their appointment, a significant business relationship with usthe company or an associateda related company or person, either directly or as a partner, shareholder, director orboard member, member of the senior employeemanagement of a body that hascompany or person who maintains such a relationship;

 

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the director is not or has not been within the last three years before their appointment, a partner or an employeemember of our external auditorthe audit team of the company or person who is, or has been within the last three years before their appointment, the external auditor of an associated company; andthe company or a related company or person;

 

the director is not an executive of another company in which an executive of the company is anon-executive board member; and

the director does not have, in the company or a related company or person, a spouse, legal partner or close family member of anto the second degree, exercising a function as board member or executive or managing directorperson entrusted with the daily management or employee of personsthe senior management, or falling in one of the situations described above.other cases referred to in bullets 1. to 8. above, and as far as the second bullet is concerned, up to three years after the date on which the relevant relative has terminated their last term.

When an independent director has served onShould the Board present for three terms, any proposal to renew his mandateappointment as independent director must expressly indicatea candidate who does not meet the criteria above, it will explain the reasons why the Boardit considers that his independence as a directorsuch candidate is preserved.independent, in accordance with article 7:97 of the Belgian Companies Code.

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. Based on our Governance Charter, a majority of the voting members of the Audit Committee are independent directors under Belgian corporate law.

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 chair 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
María Asunción Aramburuzabala Director Non-executive 2016 2020
Martin J. Barrington 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 2020
M. Michele Burns Independent Director Non-executive 2016 2020
Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart 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 2020
William F. Gifford, Jr. Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2019
Olivier Goudet 

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 2020
Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2019
Elio Leoni Sceti Independent Director Non-executive 2016 2020
Carlos Alberto Sicupira 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
María Asunción Aramburuzabala Director Non-executive 2016 2020
Martin J. Barrington Director and Chair of the Board(1) Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2020
M. Michele Burns Independent Director Non-executive 2016 2020
Sabine Chalmers Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class A Stichting certificates 2019 2023
Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class A Stichting certificates 2016 2020

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Name

 

Principal

function

 

Nature of

directorship

 Initially
appointed
 Term
expires
 

Principal
Function

 

Nature of
Directorship

 Initially
Appointed
 Term
Expires
Claudio Garcia Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2019 2023
William F. Gifford, Jr. Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2020
Paulo Alberto Lemann Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2016 2020
Xiaozhi Liu Independent Director Non-executive 2019 2023
Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2020
Elio Leoni Sceti Independent Director Non-executive 2016 2020
Cecilia Sicupira Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2019 2023
Grégoire de Spoelberch Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class A Stichting certificates 2016 2020
Marcel Herrmann Telles Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2016 2020 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 Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class A Stichting certificates 2016 2020

 

Note:

 

(1)

We have determined that Mr. Barrington is an independent director for purposes of Rule10A-3 of the Exchange Act.

The mandates of Martin J. Barrington, William F. Gifford and Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila are scheduled to come to an end at theAt our annual shareholders’ meeting to be held on 24 April 2019. 2019, the mandate of Mr. Olivier Goudet, independent director and Chair of the Board, and the mandates of Messrs. Stéfan Descheemaeker, Alexandre Behring and Carlos Sicupira ended. Dr. Xiaozhi Liu was appointed as a new independent director for a term of 4 years. Likewise, Ms. Sabine Chalmers, Mr. Claudio Garcia and Ms. Cecilia Sicupira were appointed as new members of the Board upon proposal of the Stichting for a term of 4 years. Mr. Martin J. Barrington succeeded to Mr. Goudet as Chair of the Board.

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 CompanyCompanies Code between any duties he/he or she owes to us and any private interests and/or other duties.

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Ms. Aramburuzabala is anon-executive member of the Board. Born in 1963, she is a citizen of Mexico and holds a degree in Accounting from ITAM (Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de Mexico). She has served as CEO of Tresalia Capital since 1996. She is currently chair 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, Compañía Periodística Nacional and is an Advisory Board member of ITAM School of Business.

Mr. Barrington is 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 25 years at Altria Group, he served in numerous legal and business roles for Altria and 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 spun 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. Behring is 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 Pontifícia Universidade Católica 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 Chair 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 Chair 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 (América Latina Logística).

Ms. Burns is an independent 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 ChairChairman 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 Compensation Committee, Cisco Systems, where she chairs the Finance Committee, Etsy 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.Stores. From 2014 until 2018, she served on the Board of Alexion Pharmaceuticals. She alsocurrently serves ason the Center Fellow and Strategic Advisor toAdvisory Council of the Stanford Center on Longevity at Stanford University. 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.

Ms. Chalmers is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A., the holder of the Class A Stichting certificates). Born in 1965, Ms. Chalmers is an American citizen and holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from the London School of Economics and is qualified to practice law in England and New York State. Ms. Chalmers is the General Counsel of BT Group plc and serves on the Board of Directors and Audit & Finance Committee of Coty Inc. Prior to joining BT, she was the Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer & Secretary to the Board of Directors of AB InBev, a role she held from 2005 to 2017. Ms. Chalmers joined AB InBev after 12 years with Diageo plc where she held a number of senior legal positions including as General Counsel of the Latin American and North American businesses. Prior to Diageo plc, she was an associate at the law firm of Lovell White Durrant in London, specializing in mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Cornet de Ways Ruart is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A., the holder of the Class 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 anon-executive director of Bunge Limited, EPS, Rayvax, Adrien Invest, Floridienne S.A. and several privately held companies.

Mr. DescheemaekerGarcia is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A.BRC S.à.R.L., the holder of the Class Aclass B Stichting certificates). Born in 1960,Brazil in 1968, he is a BelgianBrazilian citizen and graduatedis a graduate from Solvay Business School. He isUniversidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with a B.A. in Economics. Mr. Garcia interned at Companhia Cervejaria Brahma in 1991 and was employed as a Management Trainee in February 1993. From 1993 until 2001, Mr. Garcia worked in several positions in finance, mainly in the CEOarea of Nomad Foods,corporate budgeting. In 2001, he started the leader offirst Shared Service Center for Ambev and in 2003 he became the European frozen food sector whose brands include Birds Eye, Findus & Iglo. He joined Interbrew in 1996 as head of Strategy & External Growth, managing itsboth the Technology and Shared Services operations. Mr. Garcia participated in all M&A activities, culminating withintegration projects from 1999 until 2018. In 2005, he was appointed Chief

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Information and Shared Service Officer for InBev (following the combination of InterbrewAmbev and Ambev. In 2004, he transitionedInterbrew) in Leuven, Belgium. From 2006 to operational management, first in charge2014, Mr. Garcia combined the functions of Interbrew’s operations inChief People and Technology Officer. From 2014 to January 2018, Mr. Garcia was 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 the AB InBev Board as anon-executive Director. He was appointed Chief FinancialPeople Officer of Delhaize Group in late 2008 and served as Chief Executive Officer of Delhaize Europe from January 2012 until the end of 2013. HeAnheuser-Busch InBev. Mr. Garcia is a professor in Business Strategy at the Solvay Business School.

Mr. Goudet is an independent 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, 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 Dr Pepper, a challenger and leader in the North American beverage market; Chair of Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a premier specialty coffee and tea company; a board member of Caribou Einstein, a premium coffee and bagel restaurant chain; ChairLojas Americanas, the Garcia Family Foundation, Chairman of Krispy Kreme, an iconic branded retailer of premium quality sweet treats; Chair of Pret A Manger, a leading company in 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;Telles Foundation and a Board member of Coty Inc., a global leaderTrustee at the Chapin School in beauty.New York City.

Mr. Gifford is a representative of the Restricted Shareholders. Born in the United 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, the sales and distribution business and the Finance and 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, Mr. 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. Mr. Lemann is a Founding Partner at Vectis Partners and is a board member of Lojas Americanas, Lemann Foundation and Lone Pine Capital.

Mr. Leoni Sceti is an independent member of the Board. Born in 1966, he is an Italian citizen who lives in the 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 30 years’ experience in the fast-moving consumer goods and media sectors. He is 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. Leoni 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—whose brands are Birds Eye, Findus & Iglo—until May 2015, when the company was sold to Nomad Foods; Global Chief Executive Officer of EMI Music from 2008 to 2010; and—prior to EMI—an international career in marketing and senior leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and Reckitt Benckiser, where he later was CMO, global head of Innovation and then head of the European operations.

Dr. Liu is an independent member of the Board. Born in 1956 in China, she is a German citizen and is the founder and CEO of ASL Automobile Science & Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. since 2009 and is an independent director of Autoliv (NYSE) and Johnson Matthey Plc. Previously, she held various senior executive positions including Chairman & CEO of Neotek (China), Vice-Chairman and CEO of Fuyao Glass Group, Chairman and CEO of General Motors Taiwan, Director of concept vehicle for Buick Park Avenue and Cadillac, Vehicle Electronics-Control and Software Integration for GM North America, CTO and Chief Engineer of General Motors Greater China Region, and Representative Managing Director of Delphi Automotive in Shanghai China. Prior to 1997, she was responsible for Delphi Packard China JV Development, Sales & Marketing as well as New Business Development. Besides these executive roles, Dr. Liu also served as an independent director of CAEG from 2009 to 2011 and an independent director of Fuyao Glass Group (SSE) from 2013 to 2019. Dr. Liu has rich professional experience covering the areas of general management of enterprises, P&L, technology development, marketing & sales, mergers & acquisitions, including in the United States, Europe and China at global Top 500 companies and Chinese blue-chip private enterprises. She earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, a master’s degree of Electrical Engineering at the University of Erlangen/Nuremberg Germany and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Xian Jiao Tong University in Xian China. She also attended the Dartmouth Tuck School of Business for Executives.

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Mr. Santo Domingois a representative of the Restricted Shareholders. Born in 1977, he is a Colombian citizen and obtained a B.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. HePlc, where he was also Vice-ChairVice-Chairman of SABMiller plcPlc for Latin America. Mr. Santo Domingo is ChairChairman of the Board of Bavaria S.A. in Colombia. He is also ChairChairman 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 JDE (Jacobs Douwe Egberts), ContourGlobal plc, LifeTime, Inc., 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 theatre company. In thenon-profit sector, he is Chair of the Wildlife Conservation Society and Fundacion Mario Santo Domingo. He is also a Member of the Board of Trustees of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Educational Broadcasting Corporation (WNET Channel Thirteen). Mr. Santo Domingo is a Membermember of the Board of Channel Thirteen/WNET (PBS), a member of the Board of DKMS, Americas; a foundation dedicated to finding donors for leukemia patients.patients, and he is a member of the Board of Fundacion Pies Descalzos. He is a member of Harvard University’s Global Advisory Council (GAC) Mr. Santo Domingo is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Mount Sinai Health System.

Mr.Ms. 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, he1981, she is a Brazilian citizen and receivedis a Bachelorgraduate from the American University of Paris with a bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and attended the Owners/Presidents Management Program atof Harvard Business School. He has been ChairSchool’s Owner/President Management (OPM) program. Ms. Sicupira currently serves on the board of Lojas Americanas since 1981,S.A, where he also served as Chief Executive Officer until 1992. Heshe is a member of the BoardFinance and People Committees, and of DirectorsAmbev S.A. She previously served on the board of Restaurant Brands International Inc.(NYSE: QSR) and the Harvard Business School’s Board of Dean’s AdvisorsSão Carlos Empreendimentos S.A. Ms. Sicupira began her career in 2004 as an analyst within Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Division covering Latin America. Today she is a director and aco-founder and Board memberpartner of Fundação Estudar, anon-profit organization that provides scholarships for Brazilians.LTS Investments.

Mr. de Spoelberch is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A., the holder of the Class 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 was a member of the Board of Directors of 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 now serves as a member 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 Chair 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 Class 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 several family-owned companies such as Patri S.A. (Luxembourg), Restaurant Brands International (formerly Burger King Worldwide Holdings) and the Kraft Heinz Company. He is also an administrator of the charitable,non-profit organization DKMS, the largest bone marrow donor center in the world.

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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.Executive Committee.

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, El Universal, Compañía Periodística Nacional and Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) School of Business  Grupo Financiero Banamex, LLC, Banco Nacional de México, 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, Fresnillo plc, Médica Sur and Calidad de Vida, Progreso y Desarrollo para la Ciudad de México

Name

Current

Past

Martin J. Barrington

  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond Performing Arts Center L.L.P., Navy Hill District Foundation  Altria Group, Inc., The College of Saint Rose, NextUp (formerly Middle School Renaissance 2020, LLC)

Alexandre Behring

3G Capital Partners., Restaurant Brands International and The Kraft Heinz CompanyVirginia Museum of Fine Arts

M. Michele Burns

  Cisco Systems Inc., The Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Etsy Inc., Circle Internet Financial  Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.,Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Sabine Chalmers

Coty Inc, BT Group Plc, Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A. and the Stichting

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.,S.A.and the StichtingSparflex, Bunge Ltd, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc., Panera Bread Holdings Corp., Peet’s Coffee & Tea, LLC, Coffee & Bagel Brands Inc. Company, Inc. and the Stichting

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Sparflex

Stéfan DescheemaekerName

  Nomad Foods, Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A. and the StichtingTelenet Group Holding NV, Delhaize Group

Olivier GoudetCurrent

  JAB Holding Company, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, LLC, Coty Inc., Jacobs Douwe Egberts BV, Acorn Holdings B.V., Espresso House Holding AB, Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., Caribou Coffee Company Inc., Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc., Pret A Manger and Panera Bread Company

Past

Claudio Garcia

  Mars Inc.Lojas Americanas S.A., Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Agence Française des Investissements InternationauxGarcia Family Foundation, Telles Foundation and the Washington Performing Arts Society, Jimmy Choo PLCChapin School in New York

William F. Gifford, Jr.

  Altria Group Inc., Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation  Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, National Association of Manufacturers, Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.

Paulo Alberto Lemann

  Vectis Partners, Lojas Americanas S.A., Lemann Foundation and Lone Pine Capital LLC  Ambev

Elio Leoni Sceti

  LSG Holdings, Barry Callebaut, One Young World, The Craftory (Chairman)  EMI Music, Iglo Group, Beamly Ltd. and Nomad Foods

Xiaozhi Liu

ASL Automobile Science & Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Autoliv (NYSE) and Johnson Matthey PlcFuyao Glass Group

Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila

  Quadrant Capital Advisors, Inc., Bavaria S.A., Valorem S.A., Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) Cine Colombia S.A., Organización Decameron S. de R.L., Contour Global Plc, Florida Crystals Corporation, Caracol Televisión S.A., Life Time Inc., Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wildlife Conservation Society, DKMS and Fundación Mario Santo Domingo, Contour Global plcMount Sinai Health Systems  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 AlbertoCecilia Sicupira

Lojas Americanas S.A., LTS Investments and Ambev S.A.  Restaurant Brands International Lojas Americanas S.A., 3G Capital Partners, Fundaçao Estudar and the StichtingB2W Companhia Global do Varejo, São Carlos Empreendimentos e Participações 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.,Vedihold, 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., Wernelin S.A., Zencar S.A.

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Name

Current

Past

Marcel Herrmann Telles

  3G Capital Partners, The Kraft Heinz Company, Fundação Estudar, Instituto Social María Telles and the Stichting  Ambev, The Kraft Heinz Company, 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

  Patri S.A., Restaurant Brands International, the Stichting, Eugénie Patri Sébastien, S.A., and the Kraft Heinz Company and DKMS  UCB S.A., Keurig Green Mountain (KGM), Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), DKMS and Fonds Baillet Latour

 

Note:

(1)

(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.

Until 31 December 2018,Effective 1 January 2019, our Chief Executive Officer ledleads an executive board of managementExecutive Committee comprised of the Chief Executive Officer, our globalChief Financial and Technology Officer, Chief People and Transformation Officer and Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary. Our senior leadership team includes all members of the Executive Committee, all other functional heads (or “Chiefs”)chiefs and our zone presidents.

Effective 1 January 2018, Michel Doukeris became Zone President North America and CEO The Executive Committee are “senior management” for the purposes of Anheuser-Busch Companies, following his previous role as Chief Sales Officer and succeeding João Castro Neves.

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 Middle Americas, left the company.

Stuart MacFarlane was Zone President Europe until 31 December 2018.Form20-F.

Effective 1 January 2019, Jason Warner became Zone President Europe, following his previous role as BU President Northern Europe.

Effective 1 January 2019, Lucas Herscovici became ChiefNon-Alcohol Beverages Officer, following his previous role as Global Marketing VP of Strategic Functions.

Effective 1 January 2019, Pablo Panizza became Chief Owned-Retail Officer, following his previous role as BU President for BU Rio de la Plata.

Effective 30 June 2019, David Kamenetzky, Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer, left the company.

Effective 1 July 2019, John Blood became Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer, as well as Corporate Secretary, following his previous roles as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

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Effective 1 July 2019, Katherine Barrett became General Counsel, following her previous role as U.S. General Counsel & Labor Relations.

Effective 1 July 2019, David Almeida became Chief People and Transformation Officer, following his previous role as Chief People Officer.

Effective 1 January 2020, Jean Jereissati succeeded Bernardo Pinto Paiva as Zone President, South America and CEO of Ambev.

As announced on 26 July 2018,6 February 2020, effective 1 January 2019, our executive board of management became an Executive Committee, comprised of our Chief Executive Officer,29 April 2020, Fernando Mommensohn Tennenbaum will succeed Felipe Dutra as Chief Financial and Solutions Officer, Chief External Affairs and Strategy Officer and General Counsel and Company Secretary. Our senior leadership team includes all membersmember of the Executive Committee, all other functional chiefsCommittee.

As announced on 6 February 2020, effective 29 April 2020, David Almeida will become Chief Strategy and our zone presidents. For the year ending 31 December 2019,Technology Officer.

As announced on 6 February 2020, effective 29 April 2020, Nelson Jamel will become Chief People Officer.

As announced on 6 February 2020, effective 29 April 2020, the Executive Committee will be “senior management” for the purposescomprised of the Form20-F.Chief Executive Officer, Carlos Brito, the Chief Financial Officer, Fernando Tennenbaum, the Chief Strategy and Technology Officer, David Almeida and the Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer, John Blood.

The Executive Committee reports to 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 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 Committee is 65, unless their employment contract provides otherwise.

As of 31 December 2018, our executive board of management consisted of the following members:

Name

Function

Carlos Brito

Chief Executive Officer

David Almeida

Chief People Officer and Chief Sales Officer ad interim

John Blood

General Counsel and Company Secretary

Felipe Dutra

Chief Financial and Solutions Officer

Pedro Earp

Chief Disruptive Growth Officer

David Kamenetzky

Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer

Peter Kraemer

Chief Supply Officer

Tony Milikin

Chief Sustainability and Procurement 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

Stuart MacFarlane

Zone President Europe

Ricardo Moreira

Zone President Latin America COPEC

Bernardo Pinto Paiva

Zone President Latin America North

Carlos Lisboa

Zone President Latin America South

Michel Doukeris

Zone President North America

As of 1 January 2019, our Executive Committee consistsconsisted of the following members:

 

Name

  

Function

Carlos Brito

  

Chief Executive Officer

John Blood

  

General CounselChief Legal and CompanyCorporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary

Felipe Dutra

  

Chief Financial and SolutionsTechnology Officer

David KamenetzkyAlmeida

  

Chief StrategyPeople and External AffairsTransformation Officer

As of 1 January 2019,2020, and in addition to the members of our Executive Committee, our senior leadership team consists of the following:

 

Name

  

Function

David AlmeidaKatherine Barrett

  

Chief People OfficerGeneral Counsel

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

Ricardo Moreira

  

Zone President Africa

Bernardo Pinto PaivaJean Jereissati Neto

  

Zone President South America

Jason Warner

  

Zone President Europe

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The business address for all of these executivesmembers of our senior leadership team is: Brouwerijplein 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

Carlos Brito is our CEO and, from 1 January 2019, a member of the Executive 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 Graduate School of Business. Mr. Brito joined the group in 1989 where he held 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 a member of the board of directors of Ambev and of the Advisory Board of Grupo Modelo.Ambev. He is also an Advisory Council Member of the Stanford Graduate School of Business and serves on the Advisory Board of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management.

David Almeida is our Chief People Officer.and Transformation Officer, and, from 1 July 2019, a member of the Executive Committee. 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.

Katherine Barrett is our General Counsel. Born in 1970, Ms. Barrett is a U.S. citizen and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Saint Louis University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Arizona. Ms. Barrett joined Anheuser-Busch in 2000 as a litigation attorney in the Legal Department. She most recently served as Vice President, U.S. General Counsel & Labor Relations, where she was responsible for overseeing all legal issues in the U.S. including commercial, litigation and regulatory matters and labor relations. Prior to joining the company, Ms. Barrett worked in private practice at law firms in Nevada and Missouri.

John Blood is our General CounselChief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer and Company Secretary and, from 1 January 2019, a member of the Executive Committee.Secretary. Born in 1967, Mr. Blood is a U.S. citizen and holds a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a JD degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Blood joined AB InBev in 2009 as Vice President Legal, Commercial and M&A where he focused on global Mergers & Acquisitions, Compliance and Corporate law.&A. Most recently Mr. Blood was AB InBev’s General Counsel. Prior to the latter role, he was Zone Vice President Legal & Corporate Affairs in North America where he has led the legal and corporate affairs agenda for the United States and Canada. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Blood ledworked on the corporate and litigation teamslegal team in Diageo’s North American business where he had been primary counsel to its U.S. hard liquor, wine and beer divisions over his tenure.was in private practice at a law firm in New York City before that.

Jan Craps is our Zone President Asia Pacific since 1 January 2019 and CEO and Executive Director of Budweiser Brewing Company APAC since 8 May 2019. Born in 1977, Mr. Craps is a Belgian citizen and obtained a Degree in Business Engineering from KU Brussels and a Master’s Degree in Business Engineering from KU Leuven, Belgium. He has also completed post-graduate programs in Marketing and Strategy from INSEAD in France, and the Kellogg School of Management and Wharton Business School in the United States. Mr. Craps was an associate consultant with McKinsey & Company before joining Interbrew in 2002. He acquired a range of international experiences in a number of senior marketing, sales and logistics executive positions in France and Belgium. In 2011, he relocated to Canada where he was appointed Head of Sales for Canada followed by his appointment as 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 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 the group in 1996 and held sales positions of increasing responsibility before becoming Vice President, Soft Drinks for AB 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 Chief Sales Officer.

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Felipe Dutra is our Chief Financial and SolutionsTechnology 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 the 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 AB InBev’s subsidiaries. Mr. Dutra was appointed Ambev’s Chief Financial Officer in 1999 and our Chief Financial Officer in January 2005. In 2014, Mr. Dutra became AB InBev’s Chief Financial and SolutionsTechnology Officer. He is also a member of the board of directors of Ambev and of the advisory board of Grupo Modelo and was formerly a member of the Grupo Modelo board of directors.

Pedro Earp is our Chief Marketing and ZX Ventures Officer since 1 January 2019. Born in 1977, he is a Brazilian citizen and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Economics from the London School of Economics. Mr. Earp joined Ambev in 2000 as a Global Management Trainee in the Latin America North Zone. In 2002, he became responsible for the Zone’s M&A team and in 2005 he moved to InBev’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 and held the role until 31 December 2018.

Lucas Herscovici is our ChiefNon-Alcohol Beverages Officer since 1 January 2019. Born in 1977, he is an Argentinean citizen and received a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires. Mr. Herscovici joined us in 2002 as a Global Management Trainee in our Latin America South Zone and has built his career in marketing and sales. After working in Argentina in several commercial roles, he became head of innovation for global brands and, later, Global Marketing Director of Stella Artois. In 2011, he was responsible for opening the “Beer Garage,” our global digital innovation office based out of Palo Alto, California. In 2012, he joined the North America Zone to become VP Digital Marketing and, in 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 KamenetzkyJean Jereissati Neto is our Chief StrategyZone President South America and External Affairs Officer and, from 1 January 2019, a memberCEO of the Executive Committee.Ambev. Born in 1969,1974, he is a SwissBrazilian citizen and graduatedreceived a Degree in Business Administration from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) and an Executive Education at Insead and Wharton. Mr. Jereissati joined Ambev in 1998 and held various positions in Sales and Trade Marketing prior to becoming CEO of Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana, in 2013, making a successful integration with CND. In 2015, he joined Asia and Pacific North Zone to become Business Unit President for China and in 2017 he was appointed Zone President of the UniversityZone, leading one of St. Gallen, Switzerland, with a lic. oec. (diploma) in finance, accountingthe most complex and controlling, and from Georgetown University, Washington DC, with a masterfast-growing businesses. Most recently, Mr. Jereissati held the role of science in foreign service. Until 2016, Mr. Kamenetzky served on the management team of Mars, Incorporated. He left Mars after aten-year tenure and successfully set up his own growth capital fundBusiness Unit President for disruptive food and beverage companies. Prior to joining Mars, Mr. Kamenetzky worked for Goldman Sachs & Co. in London and Frankfurt. He started his professional career by working for the Jewish 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 Tomorrow.Brazil.

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 degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from St. Louis University. He joined Anheuser-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 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.

Carlos Lisboa is our Zone President 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 the group in 1993 and has built his career in marketing and 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. Most recently, Mr. Lisboa held the role of Zone President Latin America South until 31 December 2018.

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Tony Milikin is our Chief SustainabilityProcurement and ProcurementSustainability Officer. Mr. Milikin joined AB InBev in April 2008May, 2009 and is globally responsible for Procurement, Sustainability, Vertical Operations and Value Creation. Born in 1961, Mr. Milikin is a U.S. citizen. He is responsible for all procurement, sustainability$35B+ in purchases and vertical operations and value creation globally. AB InBev’s vertical operations consistsworking capital annually. Mr. Milikin manages our Vertical Operations consisting of 70+ facilities and 10,000over 8,000 employees and is a strategic partner to our supply organization.Supply Organization. AB InBev’s value creationValue Creation uses circular economiceconomy opportunities to create valuebusinesses from our waste. Born in 1961, he is a U.S. citizenwaste and underutilized assets. Mr. Milikin holds an undergraduate Finance Degree from the University of Florida and an MBA in Marketing from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. TonyUniversity. Mr. Milikin joined AB InBev from MeadWestvaco,MWV, where he was Senior Vice President, Supply Chain and Chief Purchasing Officer, based in Richmond, Virginia.Officer. Prior to joining MeadWestvaco,MWV, he held various purchasing, transportation and supply positions with increasing responsibilities at Monsanto and Alcon Laboratories.

Ricardo Moreira is our Zone President Africa since 1 January 2019. Born in 1971, he 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 United States. Mr. Moreira joined the group in 1995 and held various positions in the sales and finance 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 our sales, marketing and distribution organizations and lead the commercial integration of Grupo Modelo. Most recently, Mr. Moreira held 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. PabloMr. Panizza manages our existing owned retailDirect to Consumer 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 LatinSouth 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 Argentina and Uruguay.

Miguel Patricio is our Chief 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 and held the position until 31 December 2018.

Bernardo Pinto Paiva is our Zone President 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 the group in 1991 as a management trainee and during his career at AB InBev has held leadership positions in sales, supply, distribution and 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 Chief Sales Officer 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 Laws from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is also Six Sigma Black Belt certified. He joined the group in 1995 and has held various roles across the Commercial area. He was appointed Business Unit President for operations in Hispanic Latin America in 2005, and served as Business Unit President, Brazil from 2008 to 2012. He served as Zone President, Mexico from 2013 until his appointment as Zone President Africa upon completion of the 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 ManagementCommittee

In relation to each of the members of the executive board of managementExecutive Committee as of 31 December 20182019 (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 owed to us and any private interests and/or other duties.

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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 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

John Blood

  International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR)

Name

Carlos Brito
 

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

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)

Jan Craps

Member of the CEO Group at the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) Member of the Board of Melbourne Business School in Australia, IAB Council MemberTrustees and Finance Committee of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)Member of the Board of DrinkWise in AustraliaGreenwich Academy, Inc.

Michel Doukeris

 Chairman of U.S. Beer InstituteIABAdvisory Council Member of Stanford Graduate School of BusinessMember of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)Global Brewers Initiative (GBI)

Felipe Dutra

  Director of Whitby School

Pedro Earp

Voxus

Lucas Herscovici

David Kamenetzky

DKSH Holding, Zume Inc.

Pete Kraemer

Member of the Board of Civic Progress in St Louis, MOAmerican Malting and Barley Association

Carlos Lisboa

Tony Milikin

Director of the Institute of Supply Management and Director of Supply Chain Council

Ricardo Moreira

Pablo Panizza

Miguel Patricio

Bernardo Pinto Paiva

Director of Fundaçao Antonio e Helena Zerrenner

Ricardo Tadeu

Jason Warner

Almeida
  

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”) established in 2014 and replaced by the restricted stock unit plan for directors (“RSU Plan Directors”) in 2019, 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 executiveseligible employees (“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.

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LTI Warrant Plan

Before 2014, we regularly issued warrants (droits de souscription/warrants, or rights to subscribe for newly issued 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.

From 2007 onwards, 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 combination 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 10 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 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) 
21  24 April 2013  23 April 2018   0.185    0    76.20    —      —   
       

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   
   

Total

     0.385    0       0   
       

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

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.

As of 31 December 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 2018, no stock options remained under the LTI Warrant Plan.Directors

The table below provides an overview of all of the stock options outstanding under our newformer LTI Stock Option Plan Directors as of 31 December 2018:2019:

 

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    26 April 2027    0.221    0.221    104.50 

25 April 2018

   25 April 2028    0.228    0.228    84.47    25 April 2028    0.228    0.228    84.47 
    

 

   

 

        

 

   

 

    

Total

     1.105    1.105         1.105    1.105    
    

 

   

 

        

 

   

 

    

As of 31 December 2018,2019, the total number of stock options granted under the LTI Stock Option Plan Directors is 1.105 million. As of 31 December 2018,2019, of the 1.105 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,Executive Committee, see “—Compensation of Directors and Executives.”

Executives” below.

RSU Plan Directors

On 24 April 2019, the annual shareholders’ meeting of AB InBev resolved that the share-based portion of the remuneration of the directors of AB InBev for the exercise of their mandate during the financial year 2018 (paid in 2019) and any subsequent years be granted under the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) corresponding to a fixed gross value per year of (i) EUR 550,000 for the Chair of the Board of Directors, (ii) EUR 350,000 for the Chair of the Audit Committee and (iii) EUR 200,000 for the other directors.

Such restricted stock units vest after five years. Each director is entitled to receive a number of restricted stock units corresponding to the amount to which such director is entitled divided by the closing price of the shares of the company on Euronext Brussels on the day preceding the annual shareholders’ meeting approving the accounts of the financial year to which the remuneration in restricted stock units relates. Upon vesting, each vested restricted stock unit entitles its holder to one AB InBev share (subject to any applicable withholdings). As indicated, these restricted stock units replaced the stock options to which the directors were previously entitled.

The table below provides an overview of all of the RSUs granted under our RSU Plan that remain outstanding:

Grant date of
RSUs

                      Vesting date of                     
RSUs
   Number of
RSUs
granted
   Number of
RSUs
outstanding
 
       (in millions)   (in millions) 

24 April 2019

   29 April 2024    0.040    0.040 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     0.040    0.040 

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.

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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 or she 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 10 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 combination 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).

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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 2018:2019:

 

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     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

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)     

5 March 2010

   0.28    0.70    0.072    36.52    4 March 2020 

30 November 2010(1)

       0.03    0.025    42.41    4 March 2020 

15 January 2014(1)

       0.007    0.002    75.29    4 March 2020 

12 June 2014(1)

       0.002    0.002    83.29    4 March 2020 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total

   0.28    0.74    0.076     

 

Note:

 

(1)

Following the establishment of our New York functional support office, we established a “dividend waiver” program, which aims at encouraging the international mobility of executiveseligible employees 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 executiveseligible employees who moved to the United States has been canceled. In order to compensate for the economic loss resulting from this cancellation, a number of new matching options have been granted to these executiveseligible employees 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 canceled. The table above includes the new options.

(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.

As of 31 December 2018,2019, all of the 0.6790.076 million outstanding matching options 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,eligible employees, including members of our executive board of managementExecutive Committee and other senior employees in our general headquarters. These executiveseligible employees 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 and senior leadership team, as applicable,Executive Committee may take up to a maximum of 60% of their variable compensation with matching shares. The current maximum for executiveseligible employees below the executive board of management or senior leadership team, as applicable,Executive Committee is 40% or less. From 1 January 2011, the new plan structure applies to all other senior employees.

Voluntary shares are:

 

our existing Ordinary Shares;

 

entitled to dividends paid as from the date of granting;grant;

 

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with respect to bonuses for the financial years 2019 and before, all voluntary shares must be held for a five-year period. With respect to bonuses for the financial year 2020 onwards, the voluntary shares are subject to alock-up period of three years for half of them and five years;years for the other half; and

 

granted at market price.price, to which a discount is applied. With respect to bonuses for the financial years 2019 and before, the discount was 10%. With respect to bonuses for the financial year 2020 onwards, the discount amounts to maximum 20%. The discount is atdelivered in the discretionform 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 casethe event of termination of service.service (“Discounted Shares”).

MatchingAs an additional reward, executives who invest in voluntary shares and discountedalso receive three matching shares from the Company for each voluntary share invested up to a limited total percentage of each executive’s variable compensation. These matching shares are grantedalso delivered in the form of restricted stock units which will be vested after five years. In case of termination of service(“Matching Shares”).

With respect to bonuses for the financial years 2019 and before, the vesting date, special forfeiture rules will apply.restricted stock units relating to the Matching Shares and the Discounted Shares vest over a five-year period. With respect to bonuses for the financial year 2020 onwards, half of the restricted stock units relating to the Matching Shares and the Discounted Shares vest over a three-year period, while the other half vest over a five-year period. 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,variable compensation, 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 bonusvariable compensation in company shares, thatwhich are locked up forsubject to a five-year periodlock-up as indicated above (ownership condition).

Depending on local regulations,In the cash element inevent of termination of service before the variable compensation may be replaced by options which are linked to avesting date of the restricted stock market index or an investment fund of listed European blue-chip companies.units, forfeiture rules apply.

In accordance with the authorization granted in our bylaws, the variable compensation system deviates from article 5207:91, indents 1 and 2 of the Belgian CompanyCompanies 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, executiveseligible employees are encouraged to invest some or all of their variable compensation in voluntary shares. Such voluntary investment also leads to a grant of Matching Shares in the form of restricted stock units, of which half vest over a three-year period and half vest over a five-year period (with respect to bonuses for the financial years 2019 and before, a five-year vesting period applies to the restricted stock units relating to the Matching Shares and the Discounted Shares), ensuring sustainable long-term performance; and

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

 

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,half of the voluntary shares remain locked upare subject to a three-yearlock-up period and half are subject to a five-yearlock-up period (with respect to bonuses for five years. On the other hand, any matching shares that are granted will only vest after five years.financial years 2019 and before, a five-year vesting period applies to voluntary shares).

During 2018,2019, we issued 1.491.907 million matching restricted stock units pursuant to the new Share-Based Compensation Plan as described above, in relation to the 2017 bonus.2018 and 2019 bonuses.

Following the completion of the combination 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).

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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. Grants made as from financial year 2020 will primarily take the form of restricted stock units.

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 10 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 combination 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 Plans outstanding as of 31 December 2018:2019:

 

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    0.70    35.90   17 December 2019

30 November 2010

   2.80    1.22    42.41   29 November 2020   2.80    0.45    42.41    29 November 2020 

30 November 2011

   2.85    1.50    44.00   29 November 2021   2.85    0.98    44.00    29 November 2021 

30 November 2012

   2.75    2.01    66.56   29 November 2022   2.75    1.70    66.56    29 November 2022 

14 December 2012

   0.22    0.15    66.88   13 December 2022   0.22    0.09    66.88    13 December 2022 

2 December 2013

   2.48    1.95    75.15   1 December 2023   2.48    1.75    75.15    1 December 2023 

19 December 2013

   0.37    0.28    74.49   18 December 2023   0.37    0.24    74.49    18 December 2023 

1 December 2014

   2.48    1.84    94.46    30 November 2024 

17 December 2014

   0.53    0.38    88.53    16 December 2024 

1 December 2015

   1.63    1.16    121.95    30 November 2025 

22 December 2015

   1.86    1.46    113.00    21 December 2025 

1 December 2016

   2.32    1.81    98.04    30 November 2026 

15 December 2016

   1.15    0.91    97.99    14 December 2026 

13 January 2017

   0.02    0.01    99.01    12 January 2027 

20 January 2017

   0.96    0.83    98.85    19 January 2027 

5 May 2017

   0.52    0.26    109.10    4 May 2027 

1 December 2017

   4.79    4.06    96.70    30 November 2027 

22 January 2018

   1.05    0.97    94.36    21 January 2028 

8 March 2018

   0.27    0.27    89.43    7 March 2028 

3 December 2018

   4.48    4.23    67.64   ��2 December 2028 

25 January 2019

   0.93    0.84    65.70    24 January 2029 

1 March 2019

   0.02    0.02    68.55    2 December 2028 

2 December 2019

   5.87    5.87    71.87    1 December 2029 

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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 Plans outstanding as of 31 December 2018:2019:

 

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    0.44      56.02    
29 November
2020
 
 
   1.23    0.38    56.02    29 November 2020 

30 November 2011

   1.17    0.62      58.44    
29 November
2021
 
 
   1.17    0.54    58.44    29 November 2021 

30 November 2012

   1.16    0.73      86.43    
29 November
2022
 
 
   1.16    0.70    86.43    29 November 2022 

14 December 2012

   0.17    0.11      87.34    
13 December
2022
 
 
   0.17    0.11    87.34    13 December 2022 

2 December 2013

   1.05    0.74    102.11    
1 December
2023
 
 
   1.05    0.71    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    0.74    116.99    
30 November
2024
 
 
   1.04    0.69    116.99    30 November 2024 

17 December 2014

   0.22    0.19    108.93    
16 December
2024
 
 
   0.22    0.17    108.93    16 December 2024 

1 December 2015

   1.00    0.78    128.46    
30 November
2025
 
 
   1.00    0.71    128.46    30 November 2025 

22 December 2015

   0.14    0.13    123.81    
21 December
2025
 
 
   0.14    0.11    123.81    21 December 2025 

1 December 2016

   1.29    1.10    103.27    
30 November
2026
 
 
   1.29    0.98    103.27    30 November 2026 

15 December 2016

   0.08    0.08    102.91    
14 December
2026
 
 
   0.08    0.08    102.91    14 December 2026 

1 December 2017

   1.40    1.30    114.50    
30 November
2027
 
 
   1.40    1.14    114.50    30 November 2027 

3 December 2018

   1.21    1.21      76.87    
2 December
2028
 
 
   1.19    1.10    76.87    2 December 2028 

2 December 2019

   1.26    1.26    79.35    1 December 2029 

Recurring Specific Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Programs

As of 2010, we have in place four recurring specific long-term 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 (“Restricted Stock Unit Programs”).circumstances. 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 2018, 2.35 million2019, no restricted stock units were granted under the program to our management.

members of the Executive Committee.

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 10 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 2018, 0.44 million restricted stock units were granted under the program to members of the senior management. No restricted stock units were granted under the program to members of the executive board of managementExecutive Committee in 2018.2019.

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 or, as the case may be, a number of matching shares corresponding to a fixed monetary value that depends on seniority level. The 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 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 managementExecutive Committee in 2018.2019.

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Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units: This program allows for the offer of performance-based restricted stock units (“Performance RSUs”) to certain members of our management. Upon vesting, each performance-based restricted stock unitPerformance RSU gives the executiveeligible employee the right to receive one existing Ordinary Share. The performance-based restricted stock units canPerformance RSUs have a vesting period of five years or of ten years. The shares resulting from the vesting of the performance-based restricted stock unitsPerformance RSUs 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 unitsPerformance RSUs are subject to an organic EBITDA compounded annual growth rate target which mustset by the Board. Other performance test criteria may be achieved by 31 December 2024, atused for future grants. No restricted stock units were granted under the latest.program to members of the Executive Committee in 2019.

Following the completion of the combination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding restricted stock units of former AB InBev were 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 of Ambev’s senior employees 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 senior employees of their Ambev shares into our shares.shares (the “ABI/Ambev Exchange Program”). 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, our senior employees exchanged 1.14 million 2019, no member of the Executive Committee participated in the ABI/Ambev shares for a total of 0.08 million of our shares in 2018 (0.06 million in 2017 and 0.25 million in 2016). The fair value of these transactions amounted to approximately USD 1.32 million in 2018 (USD 1.16 million in 2017 and USD 5.00 million in 2016).Exchange Program.

Programs for Maintaining Consistency of Benefits Granted and for Encouraging Global Mobility of Executives

Two programs aimed at maintaining consistency of benefits granted to executiveseligible employees and encouraging the international mobility of executiveseligible employees 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 Grant1 and the options granted under the April 2009 Exceptional Grant2 could be released,e.g., for executiveseligible employees who moved to the United States (“Exchange Program”). These executiveseligible employees were then offered the opportunity to exchange their options against a number of our shares that remained locked up until 31 December 2018.2018 (five years longer than the originallock-up period).

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, executiveseligible employees 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 2023.2023 (five years longer than the originallock-up period).

 

1

The Series A Options have a duration of 10 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 11.82) or EUR 10.50 (USD 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. In January 2019, Felipe Dutra exercised 542,226 options of 25 November 2008 with a strike price of EUR 10.32 and 343,884 options of 1 December 2009 with a strike price of EUR 33.24. In August 2019, David Almeida exercised 361,484 options of 25 November 2008 with a strike price of EUR 10.32.

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2

The options have a duration of 10 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 25.12) or EUR 23.28 (USD 26.66), which corresponds to the fair market value of the shares at the time of the option grant.

In 2018,2019, no exchanges were executed under this program.program by members of the Executive Committee.

Under a variant of this plan, upon 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 executiveseligible employees 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. InNo options were accelerated in accordance with this approval 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 the executive board of management in 2018.2019.

The Dividend Waiver Program: The dividend protection feature of the outstanding options, where applicable, owned by executiveseligible employees who move to the United States will be canceled. In order to compensate for the economic loss which results from this cancellation, a number of new options will be granted to these executiveseligible employees 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 canceled. As a consequence, the grant of these new options does not result in the grant of any additional economic benefit to the executiveseligible employees concerned. In 2018,2019, no options were granted under this program.program to members of the Executive Committee.

All other terms and conditions of the options are identical to the outstanding options for which the dividend protection was 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. In 2018, the vesting of 0.2 million stock options and restricted stock units was accelerated under this program for 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 in 2018.

Exceptional Long-Term IncentiveIncentives

Options or restricted stock units may be granted from time to time to members of our management:

who have made a significant contribution to the success of the company; or

who have made a significant contribution in relation to acquisitions and/or the achievement of integration benefits; or

to incentivize and retain senior leaders who are considered to be instrumental in achieving the company’s ambitious short or long-term growth agenda.

Vesting of such options or Restricted Stock OptionsUnits may be subject to achievement of performance conditions which will be related to the objectives of such exceptional grants.

Grants made as from financial year 2020 will primarily take the form of restricted stock units.

The following exceptional long-term incentive plans are currently in place:

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2020 Incentive Plan: On 22 December 2015, approximately 4.7 million options werecan be granted to a select group of approximately 65selected members of our management, who are considered to be instrumental in helping us achieve our ambitious growth target.target (the “2020 Incentive Plan”). 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 10 years from granting and vest after five years. The exercise of the exceptional long-term incentive stock options is subject toonly become exercisable provided a performance test under which we must meetis met by AB InBev. This performance test is based on a net revenue targetamount which must be achieved by 2022 at the latest.

No exceptional incentive stock options under the 2020 Incentive Plan were granted to members of the executive board of management.Executive Committee in 2019.

Following the completion of the combination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding LTI stock options of former AB InBev were 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 werecan be granted to a select group of approximately 300selected members of theour 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 (“Integration Incentive Plan”). In January 2017, certain other options were also granted to 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 correspondsset at an amount equal to the closingmarket price of the share price onat the day preceding the grant date.time of grant.

The options have a duration of 10 years from grant and vest on 1 January 2022 and only become exercisable provided we meet a performance test.test by 31 December 2021 at the latest. This performance test is based on an EBITDA compounded annual growth rate target and may be complemented by additional country- or region-specific or function-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 at the time of the grant on 15 December 2016. Throughout 2018,In 2019, no additional options were granted under the Integration Incentive Plan. As of 31 December 2018, noPlan to members of our executive board of management participated in this program.the Executive Committee.

Incentive Plan for SAB Employees: On 15 December 2016, approximately 1.43 million options werecan be granted to employees of SAB.former SAB (the “Incentive Plan for SAB Employees”). The grant results from the commitment that we have made under the terms of the combination with SAB, that we would, for at least one year, preserve the terms and conditions for employment of all employees that remained with 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 117.52), which correspondsset at an amount equal to the closingmarket price of the share price onat the day preceding the grant date.time of grant.

The options have a duration of 10 years as from granting and vest after three years. Specific forfeiture rules apply if the employee leaves the company before the vesting date.

In 2018,2019, no options were granted under the Incentive Plan for SAB employees.employees to members of the Executive Committee.

Long Run Stock Options Incentive Plan: On 1 December 2017, 18.02 million stock options werecan be granted to a select group of approximately 50selected 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 toset at 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 5 or 10 years on 1 January 2028.years. 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.target. Specific forfeiture rules apply if the employee leaves the company before the performance test achievement or vesting date.

Throughout 2018, 2.94 million

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In 2019, no additional options were granted under the Long Run Stock Options Incentive Plan having an exercise price corresponding to members of 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.Executive Committee.

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 executiveseligible employees in the Disruptive Growth 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 Marketing 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.

ExecutivesEligible employees 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 2018, approximately 2.7 million performance units were granted to management under this program. Out of these, 132,828 performance units were granted to Pedro Earp, a member of the executive board of 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 variableshare-based compensation in the form of LTIrestricted stock options.units (“RSUs”). Our Remuneration Committee recommends the level of remuneration for directors, including the Chair 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 20182019

The basefixed annual fee for our directors in 20182019 amounted to EUR 75,000 (USD 88,684). The base supplement84,255), except for the Chair of the Board and the Chair of the Audit Committee, whose fixed annual fees amounted to EUR 255,000 and EUR 127,500 respectively. On 24 April 2019, the annual shareholders’ meeting resolved that the fixed annual fee of the directors will no longer be supplemented by any attendance fee for each additional physical Board meeting after ten (10) meetings or for each Committee meeting attended amounted to EUR 1,500 (USD 1,774).attended.

The fees received by the Chair of our Board in 2018 were increased from EUR 150,000 to EUR 187,500 (USD 221,711), which is 2.5 times theIn addition, a fixed annual fee of the other directors (other thanretainer applied as follows: (a) EUR 28,000 (USD 31,455) for the Chair of the Audit Committee). The ChairCommittee, EUR 14,000 (USD 15,728) for the other members of the Audit Committee, was granted fees in 2018 which were 70% higher than(c) EUR 14,000 (USD 15,728) for each of the respective base amounts.Chairs of the Finance Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee and (d) EUR 7,000 (USD 7,864) to each of the other members of the Finance Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee.

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

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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 25 April 2018, the annual shareholders’ meeting of AB InBev granted each director 15,000 LTIrestricted stock options.units corresponding to a fixed gross value of EUR 200,000. The Chair of the Board was granted 37,500 LTIrestricted stock optionsunits corresponding to a fixed gross value of EUR 550,000 and the Chair of the Audit Committee was granted 25,000 LTI stock options. The LTI stock options have an exercise price of EUR 84.47 per share, which is the closing price of our shares on the day preceding the grant date,i.e., on 24 April 2018. The LTI stock options have a lifetime of 10 years and cliff vest after five years,i.e., on 26 April 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 gross value inof EUR rather than in the form of stock options.350,000. Such restricted stock units wouldwill vest after 5 years and, upon vesting, wouldwill entitle their holders to one AB InBev share per restricted stock unit.unit (subject to any applicable withholding). These restricted stock units replace the stock options to which the directors were previously entitled.

The table below provides an overview of the fixed and variableshare-based compensation that our directors received in 2018.2019(1).

 

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
RSUs
granted
 
      (EUR)   (EUR)   (EUR)           (EUR)   (EUR)   (EUR)     

María Asunción Aramburuzabala

   10    75,000    0    75,000    15,000    10    75,000    0    75,000    2,505 

Martin J. Barrington(3)(2)

   10    46,371    7,500    53,871    0    10    195,000    18,667    213,667    1,558 

Alexandre Behring(4)

   8    75,000    4,500    79,500    15,000    2    25,000    2,333    27,333    2,505 

Michele Burns

   10    127,500    33,000    160,500    25,500    8    127,500    39,667    167,167    4,384 

Sabine Chalmers(5)

   7    50,000    0    50,000    0 

Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart

   10    75,000    0    75,000    15,000    10    75,000    4,667    79,667    2,505 

Stéfan Descheemaeker

   9    75,000    4,500    79,500    15,000 

Stéfan Descheemaeker(4)

   3    25,000    2,333    27,333    2,505 

Grégoire de Spoelberch

   10    75,000    6,000    81,000    15,000    10    75,000    7,000    82,000    2,505 

William F. Gifford Jr.(4)

   10    0    0    0    0 

Olivier Goudet

   10    187,500    28,500    216,000    37,500 

Claudio Garcia(5)

   7    50,000    4,667    54,667    0 

William F. Gifford Jr.(3)

   9    0    0    0    0 

Olivier Goudet(4)

   3    85,000    9,333    94,333    6,890 

Paulo Lemann

   10    75,000    6,000    81,000    15,000    10    75,000    7,000    82,000    2,505 

Xiaozhi Liu(5)

   7    50,000    9,333    59,333    0 

Alejandro Santo Domingo

   9    75,000    0    75,000    2,505 

Elio Leoni Sceti

   10    75,000    0    75,000    15,000    10    75,000    21,000    96,000    2,505 

Alejandro Santo Domingo

   10    75,000    22,500    97,500    15,000 

Carlos Alberto Sicupira

   10    75,000    6,000    81,000    15,000 

Carlos Alberto da Veiga Sicupira(4)

   3    25,000    2,333    27,333    2,505 

Cecilia Sicupira(5)

   7    50,000    4,667    54,667    0 

Marcel Herrmann Telles

   10    75,000    30,000    105,000    15,000    10    75,000    28,000    103,000    2,505 

Alexandre Van Damme

   10    75,000    18,000    93,000    15,000    10    75,000    21,000    96,000    2,505 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

All directors as group

     1,186,371    166,500    1,352,871    228,000      1,282,500    182,000    1,464,500    40,387 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

Stock options were granted under the LTI Stock Option Plan Directors on 25 April 2018. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans—LTI Warrant Plan.” The stock options have an exercise price of EUR 84.47 (USD 96.72) per share, have a term of 10 years and cliff vest after five years.

(2)

Following the completion of the combination 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)(2)

Mr. Barrington has 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 to2018, which impacted the share based remuneration linked to Board committee attendance as from 18 May 2018.he received in 2019 based on the 2018 calendar year.

(4)(3)

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 2018.2019.

(4)

Member of the Board until 24 April 2019.

(5)

Member of the Board since 24 April 2019.

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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 20182019(1):

 

  LTI 26(2)   LTI 25   LTI 24   LTI 23   LTI 22   LTI 21(3)   Total
options
   LTI 26   LTI 25   LTI 24   LTI 23   LTI 22   Total
options
 
Grant date  25 April
2018
   26 April
2017
   27 April
2016
   29 April
2015
   30 April
2014
   24 April
2013
       25 April
2018
   26 April
2017
   27 April
2016
   29 April
2015
   30 April
2014
     
Expiry date  24 April
2028
   25 April
2027
   26 April
2026
   28 April
2025
   29 April
2024
   23 April
2018
       24 April
2028
   25 April
2027
   26 April
2026
   28 April
2025
   29 April
2024
     

María Asunción Aramburuzabala

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    60,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    60,000 

Martin J. Barrington(4)(2)

   0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 

Alexandre Behring

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    60,000 

M. Michele Burns

   25,500    25,500    25,500    0    0    0    76,500 

Sabine Chalmers(3)(4)

   0    0    0    0    0    0 

Michele Burns

   25,500    25,500    25,500    0    0    76,500 

Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    75,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    75,000 

Stéfan Descheemaeker

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    75,000 

Grégoire de Spoelberch

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    75,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    75,000 

William F. Gifford, Jr.(4)

   0    0    0    0    0    0    0 

Olivier Goudet

   37,500    30,000    30,000    25,500    20,000    0    143,000 

Paulo Alberto Lemann

   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 

Claudio Garcia(3)(4)

   0    0    0    0    0    0 

William F. Gifford Jr.(2)

   0    0    0    0    0    0 

Paulo Lemann

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    60,000 

Xiaozhi Liu

   0    0    0    0    0    0 

Alejandro Santo Domingo

   15,000    15,000    0    0    0    30,000 

Elio Leoni Sceti

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    60,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    60,000 

Carlos Alberto da Veiga Sicupira

   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    75,000 

Cecilia Sicupira(3)

   0    0    0    0    0    0 

Marcel Telles

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    75,000 

Alexandre Van Damme

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    75,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    75,000 
  

 

   

 

             

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Strike price (EUR)

   84.47    104.50    113.25    113.10    80.83    76.20    —      84.47    104.50    113.25    113.10    80.83    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

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 combination 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 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). In 2019, no LTI stock options listed in the table above were exercised by directors. No LTI stock options were granted to directors in 2019.

(2)

Stock options were granted under the LTI Stock Option Plan Directors in April 2018. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans—LTI Warrant Plan.” The stock options have an exercise price of EUR 84.47 (USD 96.72) per share, have a term of 10 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 2018, Carlos Sicupira, Marcel Telles and Paul Cornet each exercised 15,000 options of the LTI 21 Series that expired in April 2018.

(4)

Mr. Barrington has 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 has waived his entitlement to any type of remuneration, including long-term incentive stock options, relating to the exercise of their mandate in 2018.2019.

(3)

Member of the Board since 24 April 2019.

(4)

Claudio Garcia and Sabine Chalmers do not hold stock options under our LTI Stock Options Plan for directors. However, they do still hold certain stock options that were awarded to them in the past in their capacity as executives of AB InBev.

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Board Share Ownership

The table below sets forth, as of 4 February 2019,the most recent practicable date, the number of our shares owned by our directors serving in 20182019 andyear-to-date 2019:2020:

 

Name

  Number of
our shares
held
   % of our
outstanding
shares
 

María Asunción Aramburuzabala

   (*)    (*) 

Martin J. Barrington

   (*)    (*) 

Alexandre BehringClaudio Garcia

   (*)    (*) 

M. Michele Burns

   (*)    (*) 

Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart

   (*)    (*) 

Stéfan DescheemaekerSabine Chalmers

(*)(*)

Grégoire de Spoelberch

   (*)    (*) 

William F. Gifford Jr.

   (*)    (*) 

Olivier GoudetXiaozhi Liu

   (*)    (*) 

Paulo Alberto Lemann

   (*)    (*) 

Elio Leoni Sceti

   (*)    (*) 

Alejandro Santo Domingo

   (*)    (*) 

Grégoire de SpoelberchCecilia Sicupira

   (*)    (*) 

Marcel Herrmann Telles

   (*)    (*) 

Alexandre Van Damme

   (*)    (*) 

Carlos Alberto Sicupira

(*)(*)
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL

   23.4722.48 million    1.2%1.11% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Note:

(*) Each director owns less than 1% of our outstanding shares as of the most recent practicable date.

(*)

Each director owns less than 1% of our outstanding shares as of 4 February 2019.

Executive Board of Management (until 31 December 2018)Committee

The main elements of our executive remuneration are (i) a fixed-base salary, (ii) variable performance-related compensation, (iii) long-term incentive stock options, (iv) long-term restricted stock units, (v) post-employment benefits and (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 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 compensationremuneration policies and individual remuneration packages for the Board of ourDirectors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Committee and the senior leadership team to the Board for approval. UponIt ensures that the recommendationCEO and members of our Chiefthe Executive Officer,Committee and senior leadership team are incentivized to achieve, and are compensated for, exceptional performance. It also ensures the maintenance and continuous improvement of the company’s compensation framework, which applies to all employees. Such compensation framework is based on meritocracy and a sense of ownership with a view to aligning the interests of its employees with the interests of all shareholders. The Remuneration Committee also submits recommendations ontakes into account the compensation of the employees when preparing the remuneration policies applicable to the Board, the CEO and the other members of our executive board of management (until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 December 2019, ourthe Executive Committee to ourCommittee.

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The 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 of the CEO and the other members of the Executive Committee and senior leadership team and the Remuneration Committee approvesassesses the target achievement and corresponding annual and long-term incentives of the CEO and the other members of our executive board of management (until 31 December 2018)the Executive Committee and as of 1 January 2019, our Executive Committee.senior leadership team. See “—C. Board Practices—Information about Our Committees—The Remuneration Committee.” The remuneration policy and any schemes that grant shares or rightsIn addition, the decision auditory to acquire shares are submitted to our annual shareholders’ meeting for approval. Going forward, the procedures for developingapprove the remuneration policy, prior to its submission to the shareholders’ meeting, and determining the individualdetermination of the remuneration of the CEO and the other Executive Committee and senior leadership team members is vested with the Board upon recommendation of the Remuneration Committee. No member of the Executive Committee will be similar.is at the same time a member of the Board of Directors. As regards the remuneration of the directors, all decisions are adopted by the shareholders’ meeting.

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 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 managementExecutive Committee as of 31 December 2018.1 January 2020. 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 Company, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCoIBM, Oracle, Diageo and Unilever.PepsiCo. The Peer Group may be revised from time to time by the Remuneration Committee, it being understood that the Peer Group will remain consistent with our activities. If Peer Group data are not available for a given level in certain geographies,role, 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 2018,2019, based on his employment contract, our Chief Executive Officer earned a fixed salary of EUR 1.431.46 million (USD 1.691.64 million). The other members of our executive board of managementExecutive Committee earned an aggregate base salary of EUR 10.122.27 million (USD 11.972.55 million).

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 basedbased. Theon-target bonus percentage theoretically amounts to maximum 200% of the market reference salary for members of the Executive Committee and 340% for the Chief Executive Officer. An additional incentive of 20% on Peer Groupa bonus amount may be awarded by the Remuneration Committee in the case of overachievement or other data (as described above).exceptional circumstances.

The effectivepay-out of variable compensation is directly correlated with performance,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.

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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 CEOChief Executive Officer and our 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 thatand are also important for sustainablelinked directly to the achievement of strategic objectives to drive the sustainability of our 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. Theresults, in or around March of the relevant year. In exceptional circumstances, the variable compensation may be paid out semi-annually at the discretion of the Board. In such cases, the first half of the variable compensation is paid immediatelyshortly 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 inFor 2019, a semi-annual payment of 50%first installment of the annual incentivevariable compensation was paid in August 2015July 2019 (variable compensation awarded related to the first half of 2019) and in March 2016, respectively. For 2018,the remainder of the variable compensation for the executives will be paid in arrears after publication of our full-year results in or around March 2019.2020.

Variable Compensation for Performance in 20182019 – Expected to Be Paid in March 2020

For 2019, based on the company’s target achievement during the year 2019 and the executives’ individual target achievement, the total bonus for the Executive Committee, including the Chief Executive Officer, effectively amounted to approximately 137% of their 2019 base salary. For the Chief Executive Officer, the total bonus effectively amounted to approximately 179% of his 2019 base salary.

For the full year 2018,2019, the Chief Executive Officer earned variable compensation of EUR 0.732.61 million (USD 0.842.93 million). The other members of the executive board of managementExecutive Committee earned aggregate variable compensation of EUR 4.202.49 million (USD 4.812.80 million).

The amount of variable compensation is based on our company’s performance during the year 20182019 and the executives’ individual target achievements. TheA first installment of the variable compensation was paid in July 2019 and any remainder of the variable compensation is expected to be paid in March 2019.

Long-Term Incentive Stock Options2020.

The following table sets forth information regarding the number of optionsthe company’s shares voluntarily acquired and Matching Shares granted in July 2019 to the Chief Executive OfficerOffer and the other members of the executive boardExecutive Committee as at 31 December 2019 related to the first half of management2019 under the Share-based compensation plan. The Matching Shares were granted in the form of restricted stock units and vest after five years, on 2229 July 2024.

Name

  Voluntary Shares
acquired
   Matching Shares
granted
 

Carlos Brito

   15,244    61,422 

David Almeida

   2,452    11,069 

John Blood

   1,348    6,469 

Felipe Dutra

   5,407    22,030 

David Kamenetzky (until 30 June 2019)

   0    0 

Long-Term Incentive Stock Options

On 25 January 2018, with2019, 88,864, 33,853, 126,979 and 84,633 long-term stock options (having an exercise price of EUR 94.3665.70 (USD 108.04),73.81)) were granted to respectively each of David Almeida, John Blood, Felipe Dutra and become exercisable after five years:David Kamenetzky (who was a member of the Executive Committee until 30 June 2019). Additionally, 100,961 and 67,307 long-term stock options (having an exercise price of EUR 71.87 (USD 80.74)) were granted on 2 December 2019 to respectively each of David Almeida and John Blood.

 

Name

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Long-Term Incentive
options granted(3)

Carlos Brito – CEO

359,606

David Almeida

55,527

John Blood

21,153

Jan Craps

39,662

Michel Doukeris

69,806

Felipe Dutra

158,650

Pedro Earp(1)

0

Jean Jereissati

26,441

David Kamenetzky

52,883

Peter Kraemer

37,018

Mauricio Leyva

26,441

Carlos Lisboa(2)

0

Stuart MacFarlane

38,076

Tony Milikin

55,527

Ricardo Moreira

31,730

Miguel Patricio

0

Bernardo Pinto Paiva(2)

0

Ricardo Tadeu

79,325

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 2018 in the incentive plans of Ambev S.A. that are disclosed separately by Ambev. Likewise, Carlos Lisboa, as Zone President Latin America South, participated in 2018 in the incentive plans of Ambev S.A.

(3)

The options were granted on 22 January 2018, have an exercise price of EUR 94.36 (USD 108.04) and become exercisable after five years.

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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 for further details on our employee benefits.

Our Chief Executive Officer participates in a defined contribution plan. OurNo annual contribution tocontributions were due by the Company under his plan amounts to approximately USD 0.07 million.in 2019. The total amount we had set aside to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for members of our executive board of managementExecutive Committee in the aggregate was USD 0.570.20 million as of 31 December 2018 and USD 0.82 million as of 31 December 2017.2019. See note 34 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

Other Compensation

We also provide executives with disability, life, medical (including vision and medicaldental) and Group Variable Universal Life (GVUL) insurance and perquisites and other benefits that are competitive with market practice in the markets where such executives are employed. In 2019, the costs of these benefits amounted to approximately USD 0.04 million for the CEO and approximately USD 0.09 million in aggregate for the other members of the Executive Committee.

Employment Agreements and Termination Arrangements

Terms and conditions of hiringemployment of our executive boardthe members of management (until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 January 2019, our Executive Committee are included in individual employment agreements.agreements, which are for an indefinite period of time. 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

Our share-based compensation and long-term incentive plans contain amalus provision for all grants made since March 2019. Such provision provides that the stock options and/or restricted stock units granted to an executive will automatically expire and become null and void in the scenario where the executive is no “claw-back” provisionfound by the Global Ethics and Compliance Committee to be (i) responsible for a material breach of our Code of Business Conduct; or (ii) subject to a material adverse court or administrative decision, in each case in the period before the exercise of misstated financial statements.the stock options or vesting of the restricted stock units.

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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 managementExecutive Committee in aggregate as of 31 December 20182019 under the LTI Stock Option Plan

Executives, the Share-Based Compensation Plans, the November 2008 Exceptional Grant, the 2020 Incentive Plan, the Integration Incentive Plan and the Long Run Stock Options Incentive Plan. Members of our executive board of management (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  Options held in
aggregate by our
Executive
Committee
   Strike
price
(EUR)
   Grant date   Expiry date 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   358,938    35.90    18 December 2009    17 December 2019  0    35.90    18 December 2009    17 December 2019 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   562,480    42.41    30 November 2010    29 November 2020  57,829    42.41    30 November 2010    29 November 2020 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   21,880    56.02    30 November 2010    29 November 2020 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   617,449    44.00    30 November 2011    29 November 2021  336,713    44.00    30 November 2011    29 November 2021 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   23,257    58.44    30 November 2011    29 November 2021 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   898,934    66.56    30 November 2012    29 November 2022  672,835    66.56    30 November 2012    29 November 2022 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   15,685    86.43    30 November 2012    29 November 2022 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   736,985    75.15    2 December 2013    1 December 2023  440,931    75.15    2 December 2013    1 December 2023 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   12,893    102.11    2 December 2013    1 December 2023 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   591,864    94.46    1 December 2014    30 November 2024  276,102    94.46    1 December 2014    30 November 2024 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   11,473    116.99    1 December 2014    30 November 2024 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   65,747    121.95    1 December 2015    30 November 2025  24,564    121.95    1 December 2015    30 November 2025 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   10,521    128.46    1 December 2015    30 November 2025 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

 611,565    113.00    22 December 2015    21 December 2025 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   855,877    113.00    22 December 2015    21 December 2025  18,635    98.04    1 December 2016    30 November 2026 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   75,897    98.04    1 December 2016    30 November 2026  551,276    98.85    20 January 2017    19 January 2027 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   836,790    98.85    20 January 2017    19 January 2027  594,936    94.36    22 January 2018    21 January 2028 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   261,706    109.10    5 May 2017    4 May 2027  249,696    65.70    25 January 2019    24 January 2029 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   1,025,404    94.36    22 January 2018    21 January 2028  168,268    71.87    2 December 2019    1 December 2029 

Matching options 2008

   61,974    34.34    3 March 2008    2 March 2018  0    34.34    3 March 2008    2 March 2018 

Matching options 2009

   80,765    20.49    6 March 2009    5 March 2019  0    20.49    6 March 2009    5 March 2019 

Matching options 2009

   140,106    27.06    14 August 2009    13 August 2019  0    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 B

   542,226    10.50    25 November 2008    24 November 2023  0    10.50    25 November 2008    24 November 2023 

November 2008 Exceptional Grant Options Series B

   3,614,841    10.32    25 November 2008    24 November 2023  1,626,679    10.32    25 November 2008    24 November 2023 

November 2008 Exceptional Grant Options Series B – Dividend Waiver 09(3)

   1,833,736    33.24    1 December 2009��   24 November 2023  1,260,596    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  0    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  0    75.82    15 May 2013    24 November 2023 

Matching options 2009 – Dividend Waiver 13(3)

   37,131    75.82    15 May 2013    5 March 2019  0    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  0    75.82    15 May 2013    13 August 2019 

2020 Incentive Options(4)

   334,765    113.00    22 December 2015    21 December 2025  47,823    113.00    22 December 2015    21 December 2025 

Integration Incentive Stock Options(5)

   1,570,237    109.10    5 May 2017    4 May 2027  261,706    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  2,002,504    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  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 

 

Note:

 

(1)

Following the completion of the combination 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).

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(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 IncentivesIncentives= Plan. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans—Exceptional Long-Term Incentive Stock Options.”

Executive Share Ownership

The Board has set a minimum threshold of shares of the company to be held at any time by the CEO to two years of base salary (gross) and by the other members of the Executive Committee to one year of base salary (gross). Newly appointed Executive Committee members have three years to reach such threshold following the date of their appointment.

The table below sets forth, as of 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 2018 andyear-to-date 2019, respectively:2019:

 

Name

  Number of our
shares held
   % of our
outstanding
shares
 

Carlos Brito – CEO

   (*)    (*) 

David AlmeidaAlmedia

   (*)    (*) 

John Blood

   (*)    (*) 

Jan Craps

(*)(*)

Michel Doukeris

(*)(*)

Felipe Dutra

   (*)    (*) 

Pedro Earp

(*)(*)

Claudio Braz Ferro

(*)(*)

Jean Jereissati

(*)(*)

David Kamenetzky

(*)(*)

Peter Kraemer

(*)(*)

Mauricio Leyva

(*)(*)

Carlos Lisboa

(*)(*)

Stuart MacFarlane

(*)(*)

Tony Milikin

(*)(*)

Ricardo Moreira

(*)(*)

Miguel Patricio

(*)(*)

Bernardo Pinto Paiva

(*)(*)

Ricardo Tadeu (until 30 June 2019)

   (*)    (*) 

TOTAL

   14.276.00 million    <1%

 

 

Note:

 

(*)

Each member of our executive board of management and Executive Committee serving in 2018 andyear-to-date 2019 owns less than 1% of our outstanding shares as of 28 February 2019.the most recent practicable date.

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). 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.Directors —Role and Responsibilities, Composition, Structure and Organization.” 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.

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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, our Executive Committee and our senior 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 Chair and the Committee members are appointed by the Board from among thenon-executive directors. The Chair of the Audit Committee is not the Chair 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, General CounselChief Legal and Company SecretaryCorporate Affairs Officer and Chief Financial and SolutionsTechnology Officer are invited to the meetings of the Audit Committee, unless the Chair or a majority of the members decide to meet in closed session.

The current members of the Audit Committee are M. Michele Burns (Chair), Martin J. Barrington, Olivier GoudetXiaozhi Liu and Elio Leoni Sceti.

Our Board of Directors has determined that M. Michele Burns and Olivier Goudet are eachis an “audit committee financial experts”expert” 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 Chair and, if deemed appropriate, a Vice-Chair from among the Finance Committee members. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial and SolutionsTechnology Officer are invited ex 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 (Chair), Stéfan Descheemaeker,Grégoire de Spoelberch, Paulo Alberto Lemann, Carlos AlbertoCecilia 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 Chair or at least two of its members.

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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 Chair of the Remuneration 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.company law. The Chair 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 invited ex officio to the meetings of the Committee unless explicitly decided otherwise.

The current members of the Remuneration Committee are Marcel Herrmann Telles (Chair), Olivier GoudetM. Michele Burns 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 Chair 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, the Executive Committee and the senior leadership team, and on their individual remuneration packages. The Committee ensures that the Chief Executive Officer and members of the Executive Committee and senior 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 isapplies to beall employees. Such compensation framework is based on meritocracy and a sense of ownership with a view to aligning the interests of its employees with the interests of all shareholders. The Remuneration Committee takes into account the compensation of the employees when preparing the remuneration policy applicable to the directors, the Chief Executive Officer and the other members of the Executive Committee and senior leadership team.

In certain exceptional circumstances, the Remuneration Committee or its appointed designees, together with the approval of the Board, 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. These exceptional circumstances cover situations in which the waivers are necessary to serve the long-term interests and sustainability of the company as a whole or to assure its viability.

The Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee consists of five members appointed by the Board. The five members include the Chair of the Board and the Chair 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 General Counsel and Company Secretary are invited ex officio to attend the meetings of the Nomination Committee unless explicitly decided otherwise.

The current members of the Nomination Committee are Marcel Herrmann Telles (Chair), Alexandre Behring, GrégoireMartin J. Barrington, Claudio Garcia, Paul Cornet de Spoelberch, Olivier GoudetWays Ruart and Alexandre Van Damme.

The Nomination Committee’s principal role is to guide the Board succession process. The Nomination Committee identifies persons qualified to become Board members and recommends director candidates for nomination by the Board and election at the shareholders’ meeting. The Nomination Committee also guides the Board with respect to all its decisions relating to the appointment and retention of key talent within our company.

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D. EMPLOYEES

As of 31 December 2018,2019, we employed approximately 175,000170,000 employees as compared to more than 180,000approximately 172,000 as of 31 December 2017.2018.

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 
  2018(3)   2017(2)   2016(1)   2019   2018(1)(2)   2017(2) 

North America

   19,150    19,306    19,314    20,040    19,323    19,306 

Latin America West

   47,042    48,892    51,418 

Latin America North

   37,387    38,651    40,416 

Latin America South

   9,214    9,603    9,571 

Middle Americas

   52,412    53,140    56,006 

South America

   41,603    40,503    41,140 

EMEA

   23,604    26,823    43,456    23,804    23,604    26,823 

Asia Pacific

   31,523    36,386    39,213    29,482    31,523    36,386 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   4,683    3,254    3,245    4,574    4,683    3,254 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   172,603    182,915    206,633    171,915    172,776    182,915 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

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.

(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.

(2)

Effective 1 January 2019, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017 have been restated to reflect this allocation.

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 (until 31 December 2018)Committee”. 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 Belgium and Germany, for example, having a high proportion of 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., yearly revisions of salary, benefits and salary revisions every two years).

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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 29 February 2024. Approximately 2,200 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.

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

Shareholding Structure

The following table shows our shareholding structure as at 13 March31 December 2019 based on (i) transparency declarations made by shareholders who are compelled to disclose their shareholdings pursuant to the Belgian lawLaw of 2 May 2007 on the notification of significant shareholdings and the Articlesarticles of Associationassociation of the company, (ii) notifications made by such shareholders to the company on a voluntary basis prior to 15 December 20182019 for the purpose of updating the above information, and (iii) information included in public filings with the SEC.

The first thirteen 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, 13º of the Belgian lawLaw of 2 May 2007 on the disclosurenotification of significant shareholdings, in issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market and containing various provisions, implementing into Belgian law Directive 2004/109/CE, and (ii) the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth entities act in concert with the first ten entities within the meaning of article 3, §2 of the Belgian lawLaw of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids) and hold, as per (i) the most recent notifications received by us and the FSMAFinancial Services and Markets Authority (“FSMA”) in accordance with article 6 of the Belgian lawLaw of 2 May 2007 on the notification of significant shareholdings and (ii) notifications to the company made on a voluntary basis prior to 15 December 2019, in

aggregate, 851,779,303849,447,148 Ordinary Shares, representing 43.47%43.35% of the voting rights attached to the shares outstanding as of 13 March31 December 2019 excluding the 59,862,60759,862,847 treasury shares held by us and certain of our subsidiaries Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and Mexbrew S.à.R.L.subsidiaries. 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%7.5% 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    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    9.45

BEVCO Lux Sàrl(8)

   96,862,718    4.94

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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    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”)

   37,598,146    1.92

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, 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, 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 SC, a company 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

   4,005,303    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)(“Altria”)

   185,115,417    9.45

BEVCO Lux S.à R.L(8)(“BEVCO”)

   96,862,718    4.94

 

Note:

 

(1)

See section “—Controlling Shareholder” below. By virtue of their responsibilities as directors of the Stichting, Stéfan Descheemaeker,Sabine Chalmers, 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” below.

(3)

By virtue of their responsibilities as directors of Eugénie Patri Sébastien (EPS) S.A.EPS and EPS Participations, S.à.R.L., Stéfan Descheemaeker,Sabine Chalmers, 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.EPS and EPS Participations S.à.R.L.Participations. However, each of these individuals disclaims such beneficial ownership in such capacity.

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(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.BRC. By virtue of their responsibilities as directors of BRC, S.à.R.L., Alexandre Behring, andCarlos Alberto Sicupira, Jorge Paulo Lemann, Paulo Alberto Lemann, Marc Lemann, Cecilia Sicupira, Marcel Herrmann Telles, Claudio Garcia, Roberto Thompson Motta and Eduardo Saggioro 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.BRC. However, Alexandre Behring, and Paulo Alberto Lemann, Marc Lemann, Cecilia Sicupira, Claudio Garcia, Roberto Thompson Motta and Eduardo Saggioro disclaim such beneficial ownership in such capacity.

(5)

On 18 December 2013, Eugénie Patri Sébastien (EPS) S.A.EPS 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.Latour.

(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 combination with SAB, it purchased 11,941,937 Ordinary Shares in the company. Altria further increased its position of Ordinary Shares in the Company to 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 March31 December 2019.

(8)

In addition to the Restricted Shares listed above, BEVCO Lux Sàrl announced in a notification made on 17 January 2017 in accordance with the Belgian lawLaw 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 to an aggregate of 6,000,000 Ordinary Shares, resulting in an aggregate ownership of 5.25% based on the number of shares with voting rights as at 13 March31 December 2019.

(9)

Percentages are calculated on the total number of outstanding shares as at 13 March31 December 2019 (2,019,241,973 shares) minus the number of outstanding shares held in treasury by us and certain of our subsidiaries Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and Mexbrew S.à.R.L. as at 13 March31 December 2019 (59,862,607(59,862,847 Ordinary Shares).

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 2018,2019, we had 21,105,8177,782,790 registered Ordinary Shares and 185,120,057 registered Restricted Shares held by 549836 record holders in the United States, representing approximately 206.23192.90 million of the voting rights attached to our shares outstanding as of such date. As of 31 December 2018,2019, we also had 98,250,51888,916,046 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.)EPS) and the interests of the Brazilian families which were previously the controlling shareholders of Ambev (represented by BRC S.à.R.L.)BRC).

As of 13 March31 December 2019, the Stichting owned 663,074,832 of our shares, which represented a 33.84% voting interest based on the number of our shares outstanding as of 13 March31 December 2019, excluding the 59,862,60759,862,847 treasury shares held by us and certain of our subsidiaries Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and Mexbrew S.à.R.L.subsidiaries. The Stichting and certain other entities acting in concert (within the meaning of Article 3, 13° of the Belgian Law of 2 May 2017 on disclosurethe notification of significant holdings in listed companiesshareholdings 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 lawLaw of 2 May 2007 on the notification of significant shareholdings and the Articlesarticles of Associationassociation of the company, (ii) notifications made by such shareholders to the company on a voluntary basis prior to 15 December 20182019 for the purpose of updating the above information, and (iii) information included in public filings with the SEC, in the aggregate, 43.47%43.35% of our shares based on the number of our shares outstanding on 13 March31 December 2019, excluding the 59,862,60759,862,847 treasury

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shares held by us and certain of our subsidiaries Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and

Mexbrew S.à.R.L.(including approximately 12.7 million11 treasury shares required to settle our obligations under Zenzele schemes). As of 13 March31 December 2019, BRC S.à.R.L. held 331,537,416 class B Stichting certificates (indirectly representing 16.92% of our shares), Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A.EPS held one class A Stichting certificate and EPS Participations S.à.R.L. held 331,537,415 class A Stichting certificates (together indirectly representing 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., 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 shares 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 Sharesshares 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 shares held by the Stichting. The parties to the 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement 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.

11

Calculated assuming our closing share price of EUR 72.71 per share and an exchange rate of ZAR 15.777300 to EUR 1.00 as at 31 December 2019.

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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 10 years each unless, not later than two years prior to the expiration of the initial or any successive10-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 2008, which was due to expire on 16 October 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 1 November 2034.

The Fonds Voting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Form20-F.

Voting Agreement between the Stichting and certain 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 combination with SAB, to enter into an agreement with the Stichting. Each of Altria and BEVCO entered into the Restricted Shareholder Voting Agreementa 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).

Each of the first 13 entities mentioned in the table appearing under Shareholding 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

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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 36 “AB InBev Companies” to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 20172018 and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

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 ManagementCommittee Members (Key Management Personnel)

Total compensation of our directors and executive board of managementExecutive Committee included in our income statement for 20182019 set out below can be detailed as follows:

 

  Year ended 31 December 2018   Year ended 31 December 2019 
  Directors   Executive
Board of
Management
   Directors   Executive
Committee
 
  (USD million)   (USD million) 

Short-term employee benefits

   2    27    2    17 

Post-employment benefits

   —      —   

Termination benefits

     1 

Other long-term employee benefits

   —      —       

Share-based payments

   —      24      22 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

           2            97    2    40 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

In addition to short-term employee benefits (primarily salaries), the members of our executive board of managementExecutive Committee were entitled to post-employment benefits. More particularly, members of the senior 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019. 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.2019.

Directors’ compensation consists mainly of directors’ fees. Key management personnel did not have any significant outstanding balances with our company. During 2018,2019, 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 Asunción 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 paid on 5 June 2013. At such time, María Asunción 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 combination with SAB, María Asunción Aramburuzabala was appointed to our Board of Directors with atwo-year term. She 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.

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Other Transactions

In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2018,2019, our subsidiary Bavaria SA, along with other subsidiaries in Colombia, paid approximately 416 billion Colombian pesos (USD 1.35.4 million), 1624 billion Colombia pesos (USD 5.48.1 million) and 2426 billion Colombian pesos and USD 3.1 million (USD 8.111.0 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) Chair of the Board or controlling shareholder of such companies.

In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2018,2019, Grupo Modelo paid 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) and MXN 29 million (USD 1.5 million), respectively, to a company of which María Asunción Aramburuzabala, a member of our Board of Directors, is Chair of the Board. These payments were made for information technology infrastructure services provided by that company to Grupo Modelo in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2018.2019.

Transactions with Significant Shareholders

We have entered into certain agreements with Altria and BEVCO in connection with the combination with SAB. These agreements are described further under “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SAB—Information Rights Agreement,” “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SAB—Tax Matters Agreement” and “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SAB—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 20182019 
   (USD million) 

Non-current assets

   1110 

Current assets

   53 

Non-current liabilities

   911 

Current liabilities

   1210 

Result from operations

   43 

Profit attributable to equity holders

   3 

Transactions with Associates

Our transactions with associates were as follows:

 

   Year ended 31 December 20182019 
   (USD million) 

Gross profit

   7476 

Current assets

   15241 

Current liabilities

   130119 

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.

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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 (Comissão de Valores Mobiliarios, the Brazilian Securities Commission.and Exchange Commission of Brazil). Such amortization will be carried out within the 10 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 the Secretaria 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.

Keurig Dr 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 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 and Keurig Dr Pepper owns 30% and has certain minority protection rights. TheAt the time of entry into the joint venture agreement, the chair of our board, Olivier Goudet, sitssat on the board of Keurig Dr Pepper and iswas a partner in and CEO of JAB Holding Company, which indirectly controlscontrolled Keurig Dr Pepper. In addition, Alexandre Van Damme and Alejandro Santo Domingo, two members of our board of directors at that time, formerly sat on the board of Keurig 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.

 

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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 the period between 1 January 20182019 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 6563 cases pending in around 3637 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.

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, which ended on 28 September 2018.

In 2018, the Competition Commission of India opened an investigation against SAB India Limited (now AB InBev India Limited) and other brewers relating to legacy pricing practices in the Indian market involving sharing of information among competitors with a view to align on prices. We have been fully cooperating with the Competition Commission of India 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 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 have contacted

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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 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 carryforwards 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 2018.2019.

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 2018.2019.

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 annulled the European Commission’s finding and 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 to the European Supreme Court. Pending the outcome of the appeal, the Commission opened new state aid investigations in Septemeber 2019 to remedy the concerns that led to the nullification by the General Court.

Antitrust Matters

European Commission Antitrust Investigation

In 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. In connection with these ongoing proceedings, we madeOn 13 May 2019, the European Commission announced that it had fined AB InBev a provisiontotal of USD 230 million.226 million for breaching EU antitrust rules. We paid the fine in August 2019.

SAB 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 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 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 SAB—U.S. Department of Justice Consent Decree.”

Ambev and Its Subsidiaries

Tax Matters

In the 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 R$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 date have been paid by the company.

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ICMS Value-Added Tax ImpostoExcise Tax (Imposto sobre Produtos Industrializados Excise Tax– “IPI”) and Taxes on Net Sales

In 2013, 2014 and 2015, Ambev received tax assessments issued by the States of Pará and Piauí to pay 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. The tax assessments are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels of the Brazilian courts. Ambev management estimates the amount involved in these proceedings to be approximately R$0.6 billion (USD 0.2 billion) as of 31 December 2018, which is classified as a possible loss and, therefore, for which no provision has been made.

GoodsBrazil, goods manufactured within the Manaus Free Trade Zone (“ZFM”) intended for remittance elsewhere in Brazil are exempt and/or zero rated from the Brazilian Imposto Sobre Produtos Industrializados (“IPI”) excise tax. Ambev hastax and social contributions. With respect to IPI, Ambev’s subsidiaries have been registering IPI (excise tax)excise tax presumed credits upon the acquisition of exempted inputsgoods manufactured in the ZFM.therein. Since 2009, Ambev has been receiving a number of tax assessments from the Brazilian federal tax authoritiesFederal Tax Authorities relating to the disallowance of such credits.

Ambev has also been receiving charges from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities in relation to (i) federal taxes allegedly unduly offset with the disallowed presumed IPI excise tax credits whichthat are under discussion beforein these proceedings and (ii) amounts allegedly due under social contribution over Arosuco’s remittance (a subsidiary of Ambev).

In April 2019, the BrazilianFederal Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal),(“STF”) announced its judgment on Extraordinary Appeal No. 592.891/SP, with binding effects, deciding on the rights of taxpayers registering IPI excise tax presumed credits on acquisitions of raw materials and exempted inputs originating from the Manaus Free Trade Zone. As a trial expected for April 2019.result of this decision, Ambev reclassified part of the amounts related to the IPI cases as remote losses, maintaining as possible losses only issues related to other additional discussions that were not included in the analysis of the STF. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels. Ambev management estimates the possible losses in relation to these assessments to be R$3.84.2 billion (USD 1.0 billion) as of 31 December 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 above-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$1.1 billion (USD 0.3 billion) as of 31 December 2018.2019. 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, allegedly 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$1.61.7 billion (USD 0.4 billion) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection with these assessments.

Over the years, Ambev has received tax assessments relating tocharging alleged ICMS value-added tax differences that some Brazilian states consider due in the tax substitution system in cases wherewhen the price of the products sold by Ambev reached levels close to oris above the fixed price table basis established by such states, in cases where the state tax authorities expectunderstand that the calculation basis should be based on a value-added percentage over the actual priceprices and not on the fixed table price.

Among other similar cases, the company received three assessments issued by the State of Minas Gerais originally for an amount of R$1.4 billion (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 issue. Ambev is defending againstcurrently challenging these tax assessmentscharges at both the administrative and now awaitsjudicial levels of the decisions from the relevant administrative courts. Ambev management estimates the amount related to this issuethese assessments to be approximately R$7.7 billion (USD 2.01.9 billion) as of 31 December 2018,2019, classified as a possible loss and, therefore, for which Ambev has made no provision. Ambev has recorded provisions in the total amount of R$8 million (USD 2 million) forin relation to certain proceedings where it considers the chances of loss to be probable consideringdue to specific procedural issues.

In 2015, Ambev received a tax assessment issued by the State of Pernambuco to chargecharging ICMS differences due to an allegednon-compliance with the state tax incentive agreement (“PRODEPE”). As as a result of the modificationrectification of Ambev’s monthly reports,reports. The state tax authorities decided that Ambev was unable to use the tax incentives.incentive due to such rectification. In 2017, Ambev received a final favorable decision nullifying the assessment due to formal mistakes committed byof the tax auditor. However, in September 2018, Ambev received a new tax assessment for payment ofwith respect to the same disputed amounts.matter. There are other assessments related to PRODEPE. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to this issuethese assessments to be approximately R$0.6 billion (USD 0.20.1 billion) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Ambev has recorded a provision in the total amount of R$34.9 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 Brazilianthe states as described below.

State Tax Incentives of the National Council on Fiscal Policy (Conselho NacionalSão Paulo, Rio de Política Fazendária or “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,Janeiro, Minas Gerais, among others. All of these conditions are included in specific agreements between Ambev and the relevant state governments.

As 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 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 had received tax assessments from various states, challengingothers, questioning the legality of ICMS tax credits arising from existingtransactions with companies that have tax incentives receivedgranted by Ambev in other states. Ambev’sThe 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 R$2.12 billion (USD 0.5 billion) as of 31 December 20182019 and havehas not recorded any provisions in connection therewith.

In 2017, Supplementary Law No. 160 was published authorizing the states and the Federal District to revalidate within 180 days the

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Ambev has also received tax benefits allegedly created without the approvals required under Brazilian tax laws and regulations by means of an Interstate Agreement. Under the provisions of the aforementioned Supplementary Law, Confaz Interstate Agreement No. 190 was published on 18 December 2017, allowing the states to republish and reinstall the state tax benefits created up to 8 August 2017. The validation of such tax incentives, however, is not self-applicable and it depends on the fulfillment of certain conditions by the granting state. Ambev’s management believes that the states will be able to comply with such conditions, with the exception ofassessments from the state of Amazonas which decided notcharging alleged differences in ICMS due to questions about the calculation basis applied in sales transactions by Ambev to its subsidiaries. The cases are being challenged at the administrative level. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to these assessments to be a party to the Interstate Agreement. Ambev will continue to defend its positionapproximately R$0.5 billion (USD 0.1 billion) as of 31 December 2019 and has not recorded any provisions in these assessments, including those related to the state of Amazonas and those related to the states in which the conditions for validation are not satisfied.connection therewith.

Ambev Profits Generated Abroad

DuringSince 2005, Ambev and certain of its subsidiaries of Ambev receivedhave been receiving a number of assessments from Brazilian federal tax authorities relating to profits obtained by its subsidiaries domiciled outside Brazil. In December 2008,The cases are being challenged at both the Administrative Tax Court rendered a decision on oneadministrative and judicial levels of these tax assessments relating to the earnings of Ambev’s foreign subsidiaries. This decision wascourts in Brazil.

The administrative proceedings have resulted in partially favorable decisions, which are still subject to review by the administrative court. In the judicial proceedings, Ambev and in connection withhas received favorable injunctions that suspend the remaining part, Ambev filed an appeal to the Upper House of the Administrative Court, which was denied in full in March 2017. In September 2017, Ambev filed a judicial proceeding for an injunction in relation to the 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 twoenforceability of the tax assessments against Ambev. Ambev has filed acredit, as well as favorable first level decisions, which remain subject to review by the second-level 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 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 one assessment and, in another, rendered an unfavorable decision to Ambev. Currently, Ambev is waiting to be notified of the decisions in order to analyze the applicable appeals.court.

As of 31 December 2018,2019, Ambev management estimates the possible losses in relation to these assessments to be approximately R$7.77.2 billion (USD 2.01.8 billion) and, therefore, has not recorded any provision in connection therewith. Ambev has recorded provisions in the total amount of R$4652 million (USD 1213 million) for proceedings where it considers the chance of 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, the Administrative Upper House of the Administrative Tax Court concluded the judgment of two tax assessments on this matter. In both cases, the decision was unfavorable to Ambev and Ambev promptly 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 on the second judicial case and filed an appeal to the judicial court. Both cases are awaiting decisions from the second-level judicial courts. Ambev has alsoThe other cases are being challenged at the administrative level whichand are still pending final decision.decisions. Ambev management estimates the total exposures of possible losses in relation to these assessments to be R$0.5 billion (USD 0.1 billion) as of 31 December 2018.2019. 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 the merger of InBev Brasil’s mergerBrasil S.A. with Ambev referred to under “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Ambev Special Goodwill Reserve.” The final decision rendered by the Lower Administrative Court was a partially favorable decision to Ambev. As a result, Ambev filed a judicial proceeding to discuss the unfavorable part of the decision, pursuant to which Ambev was rewarded an injunction. The remaining favorable result will be reexamined byinjunction to suspend its enforceability. Regarding the part of the decision subject to review at the administrative level, in August 2019 the Administrative Upper Court.House rendered a partially favorable decision to Ambev. Ambev is awaiting the issuance of these decisions and will file the applicable appeals.

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.Ambev, and filed a defense. 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 notifiedCourt. Ambev filed a special appeal for analysis of the decisioncase by the Administrative Upper House, which was partially admitted in orderNovember 2019. Ambev filed an appeal related to analyze the applicable appeals.part that was not admitted. Ambev has not

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recorded any provisions for this matter and its management estimates possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately R$9.310 billion (USD 2.42.5 billion) as of 31 December 2018.2019. 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 Associates Holding Limited (“BAH”) into Ambev. The decision from the first-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 to the Lower Administrative Court.Court against the decision. In November 2018, Ambev received a partially favorable decision at the Lower Administrative Court, which it is awaiting formal notificationCourt. Ambev submitted counterarguments responding to the special appeal filed by the tax authorities and, regarding the unfavorable part of in orderthe decision, filed a special appeal to analyze the applicable appeals. Administrative Upper House. In December 2019, the special appeal was partially admitted by the Upper Administrative House and Ambev filed an appeal related to the part that was not admitted.

In April and August 2018, Ambev received new tax assessments charging the remaining value of the goodwill amortization, and filed defenses that are currently pending review bydefenses. In April 2019, the first-level administrative court.Frist Administrative Court rendered unfavorable decisions to Ambev. As a result thereof, Ambev appealed to the Lower Administrative Court. In November and December 2019, the Lower Administrative Court rendered partially favorable decisions. Ambev is awaiting the results of the remaining decisions in order to file the applicable appeals. Ambev management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately R$2.12.2 billion (USD 0.50.6 billion) as of 31 December 2018.2019. 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, whichCourt. In February 2020, Ambev received a partially favorable decision at the Lower Administrative Court. Ambev is currently pending review.awaiting the issuance of the decision in order to file the applicable appeal. 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 2018.2019. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

Disallowance of Expenses and Deductibility of Losses

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 loss deductionslosses mainly associated with financial investments and loans. Ambev’s defense wasAmbev presented on 28 January 2015. In July 2016, Ambev was notified of the unfavorabledefenses and, in November 2019, received a favorable decision ofat the first-level administrative court and filed an appeal toregarding the 2016 case. This decision will be reexamined by the Lower 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 theThe 2015 case is still pending decision the case was then finalized.

In December 2015 and December 2016, Ambev also received two new tax assessments related to the same 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$4.64.8 billion (USD 1.2 billion) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection with these assessments.

Disallowance of Taxes Paid Abroad

Since 2014, Ambev has receivedbeen receiving tax assessments from the Brazilian federal tax authorities related to the disallowance of deductions associated with alleged unproven taxes paid abroad for whichby its subsidiaries and has been filing defenses. The cases are being challenged at the decision from the Upper House of the Administrative Tax Court is still pending.administrative level. In September 2017, Ambev decided to include part of thosethese tax assessments in the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program of Provisional Measure No. 783. In June 2018, Ambev was notified ofNovember 2019, the Lower Administrative Court rendered a favorable decision to Ambev regarding an assessment from 2010 in the first-level administrative court, cancellingamount of approximately R$0.2 billion (USD 0.1 billion), which became final. In January 2020, the Lower Administrative Court rendered unfavorable decisions to Ambev regarding four of these assessments from(from 2015 and 2016. In August and September 2018, however,2016), in the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service issued new decisions reestablishing these assessments and issued new tax assessments.amount of approximately R$3.6 billion (USD 0.9 billion). Ambev is awaiting final decisions. As of 31 December 2018,2019, Ambev management estimatedestimates the exposure of approximately R$9.510.1 billion (USD 2.5 billion) as a possible risk, and accordingly Ambev has not recorded a provision for such amount.

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Presumed Profit

In April 2016, Arosuco, a subsidiary of Ambev, received a tax assessment regarding the use of the presumed profit“presumed profit” method for the calculation of income tax and the social contribution on net profit instead of the real profit“real profit” method. In September 2017, Arosuco received an unfavorable first-level administrative decision and filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court.appeal. In January 2019, the case was reviewed by the Lower Administrative Court rendered a favorable decision to Arosuco, which ruled favorably to Ambev.became final.

In March 2019, Ambev is awaiting formal notification ofreceived a new tax assessment regarding the same subject matter and filed a defense. In October 2019, Arosuco received an unfavorable first-level administrative decision in order to analyze its content and any applicable legal motions or appeals. filed an appeal.

Arosuco management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessmentthese assessments to be approximately R$0.60.5 billion (USD 0.20.1 billion) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Arosuco has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

Social ContributionsDeductibility of IOC expenses

In November 2019, Ambev received a tax assessment from the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service questioning the interest on capital (“IOC”) deduction in 2014. The assessment refers primarily to the accounting and corporate effects of the corporate restructuring carried out by Ambev in 2013 and its impacts on the increase in the calculation in the deductibility of IOC expenses. Ambev filed an administrative defense and is awaiting a decision.

Ambev distributed IOC in the years following the assessed period. Accordingly, if the IOC deductibility is also questioned in the future, on the same basis as the aforementioned tax assessment notice, Ambev estimates that the outcome of any future assessment will be similar to the outcome of the present case, and therefore maintaining the effect of the deductibility of IOC expenses at Ambev’s effective income tax rate.

As of 31 December 2019, Ambev management estimates the exposure of approximately R$3.9 billion (USD 1.0 billion) as a possible risk, and, accordingly, has receivednot recorded a number ofprovision for such amount.

Social Contributions

Since 2015, Ambev has been receiving 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. The cases are now being discussedchallenged at both the administrative and judicial levels of the courts. In 2019, Ambev received final favorable decisions at the relevantadministrative level in some of the pending cases and other favorable decisions that are still subject to review. At the judicial and administrative courts. In January 2019, three lawsuits relating tolevel, the matter were includedcase is still in a decision from a judgment panel in the Lower Administrative Court. The decision was favorable to Ambev, which is awaiting formal notification to analyze the applicable appeals.its initial stage. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to these assessments to be approximately R$4.02.3 billion (USD 1.00.6 billion) as of 31 December 2018.2019. No related provision has been made.

Labor Matters

Ambev is involved in more than 20,00017,000 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 2018,2019, Ambev has made provisions totaling R$114120.1 million (USD 2926.8 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 2018.2019. Ambev has recorded provisions of R$2033 million (USD 58.2 million) for proceedings where it considers the chance of loss to be probable.

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Civil Matters

As of 31 December 2018,2019, Ambev was involved in approximately 9,0008,500 civil claims pending, including third-party distributors and product-related claims. Ambev has established provisions totaling R$4848.6 million (USD 1212.1 million) reflecting applicable adjustments, such as accrued interest, as of 31 December 20182019 in connection with civil claims.

Subscription Warrants

In 2002, Ambev decided to request a ruling from the CVM (Comissão 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 courtIn five 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,six lawsuits Ambev received a favorable ruling by the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice (“STJ”). These five cases are pending final judgment by STJ’s Special Court and the Federal Public Prosecutor has filed a motion favorable to Ambev’s position in one claimall five cases. The sixth case was also ruled in favor of Ambev 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 plaintiffsplaintiff filed a further appeal before the STJ, which is currently pending judgment. During 2017, the Superior Court of Justice ruled on two of 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’s position in one of the cases. The remaining appeals are still pending judgment by the Superior Court of Justice.

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 2018,2019, 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$0.91 billion (USD 0.2 billion) as of 31 December 2018.2019.

Ambev believes, based on its management assessments, that its chances of receiving unfavorable final decisions in this matter are 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.

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 0.7 billion) (of which approximately R$2.1 billion (USD 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

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that it should be equal to the initial request of R$2.8 billion (USD 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, who denied all claims submitted against Ambev and the other defendants. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has appealed to the Federal Court, butwhich decided for the annulment of the lower court decision, based on the understanding that more evidences should have been produced before the case’s dismissal. Ambev has filed a motion for clarification against such decision, which is pending judgment. If this motion is rejected, the case will return to the lower court for the production of evidences. 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 (“LCBO”), Brewers Retail Inc. (known as The“The Beer Store or “TBSStore”) and the owners of Brewers Retail Inc. (Molson Coors Canada, Sleeman Breweries Ltd. and, Labatt Breweries of Canada LP)LP and Labatt Brewing Company Limited). The lawsuit, which was brought in Canada pursuant toin accordance with the terms of the Ontario Class Proceedings Act, and sought among other things: (i) to obtain a declaration that the defendants conspired with each other to allocateLCBO and The Beer Store had entered into agreements for allocating sales, territories or markets for the supply of beer sold in Ontario since June 1, June 2000; (ii) to obtain2000, as well as 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)The Beer Store shareholders had entered into agreements 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, thefixing prices. The plaintiffs allege illegal trade practices by the owners of Brewers Retail Inc. They are seekingalso sought damages not exceeding CAD $1.4 billion (USD 1.01 billion), as well as punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages of CAD $5 million (USD 4 million) and changes/repeals of the affected legislation. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.. In March 2018, the courtOntario Supreme Court granted summary judgment of the proceeding and dismissed the class claims. The plaintiffs have appealed. The hearing beforeIn April 2019, the Appellate Court of Appeals took place on 28Ontario denied the appeal of the decision. The term for the plaintiffs to request for permission to appeal to the Canada Supreme Court has expired and, 29 Januarytherefore, the favorable decision of the Ontario Supreme Court became final.

United States Class Action Suit

On 21 June 2019, and judgment is expecteda proposed class action was filed in the second quarterUnited States District Court for the Southern District of 2019.New York against us and three of our officers. The complaint alleges claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 andRule 10b-5 thereunder on behalf of a proposed class of purchasers of AB InBev American Depositary Shares between 1 March 2018 and 24 October 2018. The plaintiff alleges that defendants misstated or omitted material facts regarding, among other things, our financial condition, our dividend policy and the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory damages and reimbursement for litigation expenses. An amended complaint filed on 12 December 2019 contained substantially the same allegations, but reduced the number of defendant officers to two. We have not recorded any provision.

Anheuser-Busch CompaniesSAB Australia Pty Limited

Tax Matters

In early 2014, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV,SAB Australia Pty Limited (“SAB Australia”) 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 reached a settlement with the IRS for the 20082012 to 20112014 income tax years for approximately USD 3000.3 billion Australian dollar (0.2 billion US dollar) related to the interest deductions of SAB’s acquisition of the Foster’s group (the “Foster’s acquisition”). SAB Australia is disputing the 2012 to 2014 assessment and remains confident of the positions it has adopted. The company paid 47 million US dollar related to the tax assessment pending conclusion of the matter and recorded a provision of 0.1 billion US dollar in connection therewith as of 31 December 2019.

The Australian tax authorities have also notified SAB Australia that includes federalit has commenced an audit of the 2015 to 2020 income tax and interest, andyears. The focus of the audit is the tax treatment of the ongoing funding arrangements associated state tax and interest.with the Foster’s acquisition.

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.

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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. 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)   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) 

2019

  2,019,241,973  0.80  0.89   21 November 2019 

2018

  2,019,241,973  1.00  1.12   9 May 2019 

2018

   2,019,241,973    0.80    0.91    29 November 2018   2,019,241,973  0.80  0.91   29 November 2018 

2017

   2,019,241,973    2.00    2.44    3 May 2018   2,019,241,973  2.00  2.44   3 May 2018 

2017

   2,019,241,973    1.60    1.89    16 November 2017   2,019,241,973  1.60  1.89   16 November 2017 

2016

   2,019,241,973    2.00    2.11    4 May 2017   2,019,241,973  2.00  2.11   4 May 2017 

2016

   2,019,241,973    1.60    1.75    17 November 2016   2,019,241,973  1.60  1.75   17 November 2016 

2015

   1,608,242,156    2.00    2.20    3 May 2016   1,608,242,156  2.00  2.20   3 May 2016 

2015

   1,608,242,156    1.60    1.75    16 November 2015   1,608,242,156  1.60  1.75   16 November 2015 

2014

   1,608,242,156    2.00    2.27    6 May 2015   1,608,242,156  2.00  2.27   6 May 2015 

2014

   1,608,242,156    1.00    1.25    14 November 2014   1,608,242,156  1.00  1.25   14 November 2014 

2013

   1,607,844,590    1.45    2.00    8 May 2014   1,607,844,590  1.45  2.00   8 May 2014 

2013

   1,607,844,590    0.60    0.83    18 November 2013   1,607,844,590  0.60  0.83   18 November 2013 

2012

   1,606,787,543    1.70    2.24    2 May 2013   1,606,787,543  1.70  2.24   2 May 2013 

2011

   1,606,071,789    1.20    1.55    3 May 2012   1,606,071,789  1.20  1.55   3 May 2012 

2010

   1,605,183,954    0.80    1.07    2 May 2011   1,605,183,954  0.80  1.07   2 May 2011 

2009

   1,604,301,123    0.38    0.55    3 May 2010   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

Principal Equity Markets

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.”

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 combination 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).

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.

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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 “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 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 Eurozone, covering Belgium, France, Ireland, theThe Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and the UK. With 1,300close to 1,500 listed issuers worth €3.9€4.5 trillion in market capitalizationcapitalisation as of end September 2018,December 2019, Euronext ishas an unmatched blue chip franchise that has 24includes 26 issuers in the Morningstar® 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 centercentre for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, FX, 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 GrowthTMGrowthTM and Euronext AccessTM,AccessTM, simplifying access to listing for SMEs. The Norwegian stock exchange and its clearing & settlement subsidiary, together operating as Oslo Børs VPS, joined Euronext on 17 June 2019.

Trading Platform and Market Structure. Euronext operates six securitiesseven markets in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, LondonBelgium, France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Paris as well as four derivatives markets in Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon and Paris,the United Kingdom, 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.

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Clearing and Settlement. Clearing and settlement of trades executed on Euronext in Europe are generally handled by LCH.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 2624 April 20172019 has been filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Form20-F.

Corporate Profile

We are a public limited liability company incorporated in the form of a société 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 products, including (but not limited to) beers, drinks, foodstuffs and any ancillary products, process and deal inas well as allby-products and accessories, of whatsoever use, origin, purpose or form, of its industry and trade, and to design, construct or produce part orprovide all kinds of the facilities for the manufacture of the aforementioned products;

to purchase, construct, convert, sell, letservices; 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, hold and manage participatingdirect or indirect shareholdings or interests and shares in companies, undertakings or undertakingsother entities having a corporate purpose similar or related to, or likely to promote directly or indirectly the attainment of, any of the foregoing corporate purposes,purpose, in Belgium and in financial companies;abroad, and to finance such companies, undertakings or undertakingsother entities 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; andwhatsoever.

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.

WeIn general, we may within the scope of our corporate purpose, engage in all civil,any 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 otherwisemoveable and real estate transactions, in all undertakings, companies or associations having a corporate purpose similar or related to orresearch and development projects, as well as in any other transaction likely to promote directly or indirectly the furtheranceattainment of ourits corporate purpose.

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Amendments to Articles of Association

Several resolutions will be proposed at the 2020 annual shareholders meeting, which, if approved, will align our Articles of Association with the Belgian Companies Code, which entered into force on 1 January 2020.

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 ManagementCommittee Members (Key Management Personnel).”

In addition, the Article 5237:96 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.

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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 Shareholder; (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; or (iii) upon the announcement of asqueeze-out bid for our outstanding shares, in accordance with Article 5137:82 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 SAB—Registration Rights Agreement.”

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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.”Requirements” below.

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).

At the annual shareholders’ meeting on 26 April 2017, our shareholders’ meeting authorized 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 has been granted for five years and can be used for several purposes, including when the sound management of our business or the need to react to appropriate business opportunities calls for a restructuring, an acquisition (whether private or publish) of securities or assets in one or more companies, or generally, any other appropriate increase of our 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 Equity Interests“Equity Interests”), all shareholders will have a preferential right to subscribe for any such Equity Interests, as set out in and in accordance with Article 5927:188 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.issue and subject to the rules of Article 7:188 of the Belgian Companies Code. 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 5967:191 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 canceled 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 canceled 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.

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No Restricted Shares shall be issued other than to a Restricted Shareholder exercising its preferential subscription right.right in respect of its holding of Restricted Shares, without prejudice to the right of the Ordinary Shareholders to exercise their second ranking preferential subscription right in accordance with Article 7:188 of the Belgian Companies Code. 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%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 80%75% 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 underin accordance with 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)schemes) 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.

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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-fifthone-tenth 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.

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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 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 5407:139 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

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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).

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 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 will be 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).

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 restated 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

 

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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.

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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 securitiesrights 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.rights.

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., 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.

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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 SAB

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 combination with SAB, this Information Rights Agreement replaced the existing relationship agreement that was in place between Altria and SAB.

Under the terms of the combination with SAB, any former SAB shareholder other than Altria is entitled, from completion of the 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. 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 is filed as Exhibit 4.26 to this Form20-F.

Tax Matters Agreement

On 11 November 2015, former AB InBev entered into 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 combination with SAB.

The Tax Matters Agreement sets out the framework for ongoingco-operation between us and Altria after completion of the combination 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 combination with SAB, the existing tax matters agreement in place between Altria and SAB 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 combination with SAB to reflect additional details that had developed since 11 November 2015.

Under the terms of the combination with SAB, as stated in the November Rule 2.7 Announcement, any SAB 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 SAB 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 combination with SAB.

The Tax Matters Agreement is filed as Exhibit 4.22 to this Form20-F.

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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 combination with SAB, Molson Coors acquired all of SAB’s interest in MillerCoors LLC, a joint venture between SAB and Molson Coors (“MillerCoors”), and certain assets (including trademarks, other intellectual property, contracts, inventory and other assets) related to SAB’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.

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. We also agreed to enter into amendments to certain existing agreements between SAB and its affiliates and MillerCoors in respect of the license and/or supply of certain brands owned by SAB 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, Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 are 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 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 combination with SAB. The terms of the consent decree formalized former AB InBev’s agreement to divest SAB’s U.S. interest in MillerCoors to Molson Coors 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 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.

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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 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 modified final judgment which is filed as Exhibit 4.28 to this Form20-F.

Revolving Facility

As of 31 December 2018, we have fully repaid our obligations under2019, the Revolving Facility (as defined below), and was fully undrawn. In March 2020, we drew the full USD 9.0 billion remains availablecommitment under our Revolving Facility, in order to be drawn.proactively safeguard our liquidity position by holding cash on our balance sheet through the period of significant financial market volatility and uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

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 canceled 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 this Form20-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. Effective 3 October 2017, we amended the terms of the Revolving Facility to extend the maturity to August 2022. The amendment to the Revolving Facility is filed as Exhibit 4.5 to this Form20-F.

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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 and disposal 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 and disposal 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 inas a position in a straddle, share-repurchase transaction, conversion transaction, synthetic security or other integrated financial transaction. Investors should consult their own advisers 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.Code, subject to certain conditions and apro-rate rule (as described below). 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.

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Dividends paid or attributed as of 1 January 2018 tonon-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 640800 EUR (for income year 2018)2019). Consequently, if Belgian withholding tax has 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 EUR 640800 (for income year 2018)2019) 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 designated tax official to be appointed in a Royal Decree.official. 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 aby 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 640800 (for income year 2018)2019) 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 that: (i) 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, (ii) 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 2011 (2011/96/EU) (“EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive”), as amended from time to time; (ii)(iii) 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; (iii)(iv) the U.S. company holds our shares or ADSs in full legal ownership for an uninterrupted period of at least one year; and (iv)(v) the U.S. company submits an affidavit to us or our paying agent (see below). The withholding tax exemption only applies to the extent that the withholding tax, which would be due in the absence of said exemption, is in principle not creditable or refundable in the hands of the U.S. resident company.

In order to benefit from the 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; (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; (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; (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 dividends; 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.transaction; The exemption will not be applicable to dividends which are connected to an arrangement or a series of arrangements for which the tax Belgian tax administration has proven that this arrangement or this series of arrangements is not genuine and has been put in place for the main purpose or one of the main purposes of obtaining the dividend received deduction, the above dividend withholding tax exemption or one of the advantages of the Parent-Subsidiary Directive in another EU Member State. An arrangement or a series of arrangements is regarded as not genuine to the extent that they are not put into place for valid commercial reasons which reflect economic reality. There is a rebuttable presumption that dividends are deemed to be connected to an artificial transaction if the shares have not been held by the pension fund in full legal ownership for an uninterrupted period of at least 60 days within 15 days from the date of the attribution or payment of the income. 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.

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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; 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 Centre Étrangers – Team 6 – 17P, 50 box 3429 Boulevard du 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, provided 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.

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%35.31% (33% with a current surcharge of 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 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 (more than 25% of our shares).

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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 how the donation is carried out.

Belgian Tax on Stock Exchange Transactions

A tax on stock market taxexchange transactions 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 tax on stock exchange transactions is not due upon the issuance of the New Shares (primary market transactions). The applicable rate amounts to 0.35% of the consideration paid, but with a cap of EUR 1,600 (USD 1,804) per transaction and per party. Such tax is separately due by each party to the transaction, and each of those is collected by the professional intermediary.

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 affidavitcertificate to the intermediary in Belgium confirming theirnon-resident status.

In addition to the above, no tax on stock market taxexchange transactions is payable by:due on transactions entered into by the following parties: (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 tax on stock market taxexchange transactions 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 evidencingcertificate confirming 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;

 

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a trader in securities that elects to use amark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings;

 

atax-exempt organization;

 

a life insurance company;

 

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 depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

If an entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes 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 adviser 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 Distributions

Under the United States federal income tax laws, if you are a U.S. holder, the gross amount of any distribution 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

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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 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 euro, the amount of the dividend distribution that you must include in your income 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 will generally be “passive” income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to you.

Taxation of Capital Gains

If 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 and 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

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attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. If we were to be treated as a PFIC and you are a U.S. holder, unless you make an effective “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”) election, gain realized on the sale or other disposition of your shares or ADSs would in general not be treated as capital gain. Instead, unless you effectively elect to be taxed annually on amark-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 above under “—Belgian Taxation—Belgian Tax on Stock Exchange Transactions”). U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisers 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 through the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system through the SEC’s website on the Internet athttp://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 26 April 2017 has been filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Form20-F, and is also available on our website underhttps://www.ab-inbev.com/investors/corporate-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 underhttps://www.ab-inbev.com/investors.html.

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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. 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 Corporate Governance Charter, written communications, financial statements and our historical financial information for each of the three financial years preceding the publication of this Form20-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

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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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.

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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., 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 2018,2019, we have substantially locked in our anticipated exposures related to firm commitments and forecasted transactions for 20192020 for the most important currency pairs such as USD/Brazilian real, USD/Mexican peso and 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 2018,2019, factoring in the possible volatility in those exchange rates (see note 29 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018)2019). Based on such analysis, we estimate that if certain currencies had weakened or strengthened against the U.S. dollar or euro during 2018,2019, our 20182019 profit before taxes would have been USD 7635 million higher or lower, respectively, while thepre-tax translation reserves in equity would have been USD 587548 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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 2018,2019, after certain hedging and fair value adjustments, USD 79.7 billion, or 1.8%9.4%, 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018)2019). We have estimated that a change in market interest rates based on the range of volatilities considered in our analysis could have impacted our 20182019 interest expense by plus or minus USD 816 million in relation to our floating rate debt. Such increase or decrease would be more than offset by a USD 6022 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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.

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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 2018,2019, 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

   1,597    73    —      1,670    (149   1,411    22    —      1,433    (46

Other commodity derivatives

   1,241    32    —      1,273    (20   771    20    —      791    (1

 

Note:

 

(1)

These hedges are designated in a cash flow hedge accounting relationship in accordance with IFRS 9.

See note 29 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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 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 restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018)2019) and some share-based payments in connection with the acquisition of SAB. Most of these derivative instruments could not qualify for hedge accounting; therefore, they have not been designated in any hedging relationships.

As of 31 December 2018,2019, an exposure for an equivalent of 92.499.5 million of our shares was hedged, resulting in a total lossgain of USD 3.51.8 billion recognized in the profit or loss account for the period, of which USD 1.8 billion898 million related to our share-based payment programs, and USD 873445 million and USD 849433 million related to the Grupo Modelo and SAB acquisitions, respectively.

The sensitivity analysis on the share-based payments hedging program, calculated based on a 22.03%25.20% reasonable possible volatility of our share price, and with all the other variables held constant, would show USD 1,3452,066 million positive/negative impact on our 20182019 profit before tax. Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2018.2019.

Other Risks

See note 29 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, and for the three years ended 31 December 20182019 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.

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B. WARRANTS AND RIGHTS

Not applicable.

C. OTHER SECURITIES

Not applicable.

D. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

Upon completion of the combination with SAB, we assumed the rights and obligations of former AB InBev under its Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated 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 “—D. 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-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 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 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 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, United States. The Bank of New York Mellon’s principal executive office is located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, United States.

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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 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.

DRS is a 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.

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:

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

No more than the greater of (a) $0.02 per ADS and (b) 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
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

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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, 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 2018,2019, 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 17,843,310.53.20,222,315.19.

 

Expenses the depositary reimbursed us

  Amount (in USD) 

Maintenance expenses(1)

   17,843,310.5320,222,315.19 
  

 

 

 

Total

   17,843,310.5320,222,315.19 
  

 

 

 

 

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 2018.2019.

 

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Expenses the depositary paid to third parties on our behalf

  Amount (in USD) 

Standardout-of-pocket maintenance costs

   129,925.00128,435.49

 

Total

   129,925.00128,435.49 

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 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 canceled 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.

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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.

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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

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial & Solutionsand Technology 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 2018.2019. 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 2018,2019, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial and SolutionsTechnology 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’sSEC’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 & Solutionsand Technology 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 and SolutionsTechnology 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—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 20182019 was effective.

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The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 20182019 has been audited by Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/RéviseursPwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV/Reviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL,SRL, our independent registered public accounting firm, as represented by Joël Brehmen.Koen Hens. Their audit report, andincluding their opinion on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting, is included in our audited restated consolidated financial statements included in this Form20-F.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the period covered by this Form20-F, there were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are 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 areis an “audit committee financial experts”expert” as defined in Item 16A of Form20-F under the Exchange Act and arean independent directorsdirector 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

PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV/Reviseurs d’Entreprises SRL acted as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2019. Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL acted as our independent auditor for the fiscal yearsyear ended 31 December 2018 and 2017.2018. The table below sets forth the total amount billed to us by PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV/Reviseurs d’Entreprises SRL and Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL for services performed in 20182019 and 2017,2018, respectively, and breaks down these amounts by category of service:2

 

  2018   2017   2019   2018(1) 
  (USD thousand)   (USD thousand) 

Audit Fees

   8,685    8,905    16,386    8,685 

Audit-Related Fees(2)

   296    412    14,034    296 

Tax Fees

   1,041    1,593    9,617    1,041 

All Other Fees

   —      —      —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   10,022    10,910    40,037    10,022 
  

 

   

 

 

Note:

 

2(1)

Final figures pending confirmation.Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL acted as the company’s independent auditor in 2018. Accordingly, the 2018 fees do not include audit and other fees of companies which were audited by the PwC network.

(2)

Audit-related fees for 2019 include the fees for audit related services rendered for the IPO of Budweiser APAC (USD 14 million).

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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 services in connection with rights and bonds issuances. In addition, audit-related services for 2019 include the fees for audit related services rendered for the IPO of Budweiser APAC (USD 14 million).

Tax Fees

Tax fees in 20182019 were primarily related to advisory services.tax services rendered for the IPO on Budweiser APAC. In 2017,2018, the majority of our tax fees related to advisory services.

All Other Fees

There were no other fees in 20182019 and 2017.2018.

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 advance approval of the Chair 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 20172018 and 2018.2019.

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:

 

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   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 January 20182019 – 31 January 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

1 February 20182019 – 28 February 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

1 March 20182019 – 31 March 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

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 20182019 – 30 April 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

1 May 20182019 – 31 May 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

1 June 20182019 – 30 June 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

1 July 20182019 – 31 July 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

1 August 20182019 – 31 August 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

1 September 20182019 – 30 September 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

1 October 20182019 – 31 October 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

1 November 20182019 – 30 November 20182019

   —      —      —      —   

1 December 20182019 – 31 December 20182019

   —      —      —      —  

 

Total

   —      —      —      —   

 

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.

 

ITEM 16F.

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

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.Not applicable.

 

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 20092020 Belgian Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”) that applieshas applied to us since 1 January 2020 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 2018,2019, 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, nine are considerednon-independent solely because they serve as directors of our controlling shareholder, the Stichting, and three are considerednon-independent because of their relationships with Altria and BEVCO, the two largest holders of Restricted 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 2009 Belgian Corporate Governance Code recommendsrecommended 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 2019,2020, the 2020 Belgian Corporate Governance Code recommends that a majority of the members of the

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Nomination Committee meet the technical requirements for independence under Belgian corporate law. The Belgian Companies Code requires that one member of the Audit Committee meet the technical requirements for independence under Belgian corporate law, but our Corporate Governance Charter requires the majority of the members of the Audit Committee to meet such requirements. The Belgian Companies Code also requires that a majority of the members of the Remuneration Committee meet the technical requirements for independence under Belgian corporate law. As of 1 January 2020, 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, fourfive 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 restated consolidated financial statements as required under Item 18 are attached hereto starting on pageF-1 of this Form20-F. The audit report of Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/RéviseursPwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV/Reviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL,SRL, independent registered public accounting firm, is included herein preceding the audited restated consolidated financial statements. The financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and for each of the two years in the period ended 31 December 2018 (prior to adjustments to retrospectively reflect the classification of the Australian business as a disposal group held for sale) have been audited by Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCR. The audit report by Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCR, independent registered public accounting firm, is included herein preceding the audited restated consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 19.

EXHIBITS

 

 1.1*1.1  Consolidated Articles of Association of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, dated as of 2624 April 20172019 (English-language translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to FormF-4 filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 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).

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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 to Exhibit 2.7 to Form20-F filed by former AB InBev on 14 March 2016).
2.8*  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 (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).

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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).
2.14Description of Securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
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 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*  Letter of Amendment dated 26 October 2017, amending the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement dated 26  February 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form20-F filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 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).

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4.10*  Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme (most recent version is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 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. 333-221808) filed on 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).
4.22*  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).
4.26*  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).

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4.27*  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of 10  October 2016, among Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and the Holders as defined therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.27 to Form20-F filed by AB InBev on 22 March 2016).
 4.284.28*  Modified Judgment of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, dated as of 22  October 2018, relating to the combination with SAB.SAB (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.28 to Form 20-F filed by AB InBev on 22 March 2019).
4.29*  Gap Long-Term Incentive Plan for SABMiller Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-221808) filed on 11 November 2017).
4.30*  Five-Year Performance Restricted Stock Units Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-227335) filed on 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).
4.32*Restricted Stock Units Plan for Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-231556) filed on 17 May 2019).
6.1  Description of earnings per share (included in note 23 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements included in thisForm 20-F).
8.1  List of significant subsidiaries (included in note 37 to our audited restated consolidated financial statements included in thisForm 20-F).
 11.1*11.1  Anheuser-Busch InBev Code of Dealing, dated as of January 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11.1 to Form20-F filed by AB InBev on 22 March 2016).September 2019.
 11.2*11.2  Anheuser-Busch InBev Code of Business Conduct, dated as of December 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11.2 to Form20-F filed by AB InBev on 22 March 2016).2019
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.
15.1Consent of PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV/Reviseurs d’Entreprises SRL
15.2  Consent of Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL.
 16.1101.INS  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.XBRL Instance Document.
 101.INS

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.

 

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.

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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: 2223 March 20192020 By: 

/s/ John Blood

 Name: John Blood
 Title: General CounselChief Legal and CompanyCorporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary

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AB INBEV GROUP AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ReportReports of Independent Registered Accounting Firms

   F-2 

Consolidated income statement for the years ended 31  December 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017

   F-4F-6 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the years ended 31  December 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017

   F-5F-7 

Consolidated statement of financial position as of 31  December 20182019 and 20172018

   F-6F-8 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the years ended 31  December 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017

   F-7F-9 

Consolidated cash flow statement for the years ended 31  December 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017

   F-9F-11 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

   F-10F-12 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmLOGO

To the shareholdersShareholders and the Board of Directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three 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, 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 2018, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated 13 March 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our 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 audits in accordance with the standards of the 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, 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 regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Zaventem, Belgium, 13 March 2019

Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL

/s/ Joël Brehmen

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

ToOpinions on the shareholdersFinancial Statements and the Board of Directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control overaccompanying consolidated statement of financial reportingposition of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019, and the related consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 2018,31, 2019, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established inInternal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, December 2018,2019, based on criteria established inInternal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

We also have also audited in accordance with the standardsadjustments to the 2018 and 2017 consolidated financial statements to retrospectively reflect the classification of the Public CompanyAustralian operations as assets held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and presentation of the results as discontinued operations as described in Note 22. In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2018 and 2017 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 2018 and 2017 consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

Change in Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB),Principle

As described in Note 3 to 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.changed the manner in which it accounts for leases in 2019.

Basis for OpinionOpinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, 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 reportManagement’s Annual Report on internal controlInternal Control over financial reporting.Financial Reporting appearing under Part II, Item 15. Our responsibility is to express an opinionopinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOBPublic 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV - PwC Reviseurs d’Entreprises SRL - Financial Assurance Services

Registered Office: Woluwe Garden, Woluwedal 18, B-1932 Sint-Stevens-Woluwe

VAT BE 0429.501.944 RPR Brussel/ RPM Bruxelles - ING BE43 3101 3811 9501 - BIC BBRUBEBB

BELFIUS BE92 0689 0408 8123 - BIC GKCCBEBB

LOGO

Our audit of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, andrisk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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)(i) 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)(ii) 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)(iii) 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 conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life – impairment testing

As described in Notes 3, 14 and 15 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has recorded goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life for an amount of $168 331 million as of December 31, 2019, which represents 71% of the consolidated statement of financial position as of that date. An annual impairment test is conducted by management, in accordance with IAS 36, in which management applies a discounted free cash flow approach based on current acquisition valuation models for its cash-generating units showing a high invested capital to EBITDA multiple, and valuation multiples for its other cash-generating units. The Company uses a strategic plan 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. Management’s cash flow projections include significant judgments and assumptions, such as weighted average cost of capital and the terminal growth rate.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life is a critical audit matter are (i) there was a high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity in applying procedures relating to the valuation of the cash-generating units due to the significant amount of judgment by management when developing this estimate, (ii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in evaluating the audit evidence obtained from these procedures and (iii) significant audit effort was necessary in evaluating the significant assumptions relating to the estimate, such as weighted average cost of capital and the terminal growth rate.

LOGO

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill and indefinite-lived asset impairment testing, including controls over the identification and valuation of the Company’s cash-generating units. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimates; evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow model; testing the completeness, accuracy, and relevance of underlying data used in the models; and evaluating the significant assumptions used by management, such as weighted average cost of capital and the terminal growth rate. Evaluating management’s assumptions involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the reporting unit, (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data, (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit and (iv) analysis of sensitivities in the Company’s discounted cash flow model. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the Company’s discounted cash flow model and certain significant assumptions, including the weighted average cost of capital and the terminal growth rate.

Uncertain tax positions

As described in Notes 4 and 32 to the consolidated financial statements, significant judgment by management is required in determining the worldwide provision for income tax. The estimate of the Company’s tax liabilities relating to uncertain tax positions requires management to assess uncertainties and to make judgments about the application of complex tax laws and regulations. The Company operates on a global basis and, as management has further disclosed, 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 consolidated financial statements, estimation is made of the expected successful settlement of these matters.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to uncertain tax positions is a critical audit matter are (i) there was a high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity in applying procedures related to uncertain tax positions due to the significant amount of judgment by management when developing this estimate, including a high degree of estimation uncertainty relative to the numerous and complex tax laws, frequency of tax audits, and the considerable time to conclude investigations and negotiations with local tax authorities as a result of such audits, and (ii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in evaluating the audit evidence obtained from these procedures.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to completeness of the uncertain tax positions, as well as controls over measurement of the liability. These procedures also included, among others, (i) testing the information used in the calculation of the income tax provisions, including intercompany agreements, international, federal, and state filing positions, and the related final tax returns; (ii) testing the calculation of the income tax provision by jurisdiction, including management’s assessment of the technical merits of tax positions and estimates of the amount of tax benefit expected to be sustained; (iii) testing the completeness of management’s assessment of both the identification of uncertain tax positions and possible outcomes thereof; and (iv) evaluating the status and results of income tax audits with the relevant tax authorities. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the completeness and measurement of the Company’s uncertain tax positions, including evaluating the reasonableness of management’s assessment of whether tax positions are more-likely-than-not of being sustained and the amount of potential benefit to be realized, the application of relevant tax laws, and estimated interest and penalties.

Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, Belgium, March 11, 2020

PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV / Reviseurs d’Entreprises SRL

Represented by

/s/ Koen Hens

Statutory Auditor

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited, before the effects of the retrospective adjustments for the discontinued operations discussed in Note 22, the consolidated statement of financial position of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of 31 December 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”) (the 2018 and 2017 consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows before the effects of the retrospective adjustments discussed in Note 22 to the financial statements are not presented herein). In our opinion, the 2018 and 2017 financial statements, before the effects of the retrospective adjustments for the discontinued operations discussed in Note 22 to the financial statements, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of 31 December 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017, 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 were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the retrospective adjustments for the discontinued operations discussed in Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements, and accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such retrospective adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those retrospective adjustments were audited by other auditors.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, effective 1 January 2019, the Company adopted IFRS 16 Leases, using the full retrospective approach.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our 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 audits in accordance with the standards of the 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, 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 regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Zaventem, Belgium, 13 March 2019

Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL(23 April 2019 as to the adoption of IFRS 16 Leases and the retrospective adjustments for changes in the composition of reportable segment as described in Note 5 to the financial statements)

/s/ Joël Brehmen
Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL
Represented by Joël Brehmen

We began serving as the Company’s auditor in 2016. In 2019 we became the predecessor auditor.

Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated income statement

 

For the year ended 31 December

Million US dollar, except earnings per shares in US dollar

  Notes   2018 2017 2016   Notes   2019 2018
restated1
 2017
restated¹
 

Revenue

     54 619   56 444   45 517      52 329   53 041   54 859 

Cost of sales

     (20 359 (21 386 (17 803     (20 362 (19 933 (20 975
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Gross profit

     34 259   35 058   27 715      31 967   33 108   33 884 

Distribution expenses

     (5 770 (5 876 (4 543     (5 525 (5 612 (5 716

Sales and marketing expenses

     (7 883 (8 382 (7 745     (7 348 (7 774 (8 265

Administrative expenses

     (3 465 (3 841 (2 883     (3 548 (3 421 (3 779

Other operating income/(expenses)

   7    680  854  732    7    875  805  946 

Restructuring

   8    (385 (468 (323   8    (170 (363 (447

Acquisition costs business combinations

   8    (74 (155 (448   8    (23 (73 (123

Business and asset disposal

   8    (26 (39 377    8    (50 (26 (39

Brazil state tax regularization program

   8    (74  —     —   

Cost related to public offering of minority stake in Budweiser APAC

   8    (6  —     —   

Provision for EU investigation

   8    (230  —     —      8    —    (230  —   
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit from operations

     17 106   17 152   12 882      16 098   16 414   16 460 

Finance cost

   11    (9 168 (6 885 (9 382   11    (5 095 (9 261 (7 006

Finance income

   11    440  378  818    11    1 622  435  380 
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net finance income/(cost)

     (8 729  (6 507  (8 564     (3 473  (8 826  (6 626

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

   16    153  430  16    16    152  153  430 
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit before tax

     8 530   11 076   4 334      12 776   7 741   10 264 

Income tax expense

   12    (2 839 (1 920 (1 613   12    (2 786 (2 585 (1 658
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit from continuing operations

     5 691   9 155   2 721      9 990   5 157   8 606 

Profit from discontinued operations

     —    28  48    22    424  531  560 
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit of the period

     5 691   9 183   2 769      10 414   5 688   9 166 

Profit from continuing operations attributable to:

            

Equity holders of AB InBev

     4 368  7 968  1 193      8 748  3 839  7 430 

Non-controlling interest

     1 323  1 187  1 528      1 243  1 318  1 176 

Profit of the period attributable to:

            

Equity holders of AB InBev

     4 368  7 996  1 241      9 171  4 370  7 990 

Non-controlling interest

     1 323  1 187  1 528      1 243  1 318  1 176 

Basic earnings per share

   23    2.21  4.06  0.72    23    4.62  2.21  4.05 

Diluted earnings per share

   23    2.17  3.98  0.71    23    4.53  2.17  3.98 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

   23    2.21  4.04  0.69    23    4.41  1.94  3.77 

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

   23    2.17  3.96  0.68    23    4.32  1.91  3.70 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1

The consolidated income statements for 2017 and 2018 have been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application and the classification of the Australian operations as discontinued operations.

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

 

For the year ended 31 December

Million US dollar

  2018 2017 2016   2019 2018
restated1
 2017
restated¹
 

Profit of the period

   5 691   9 183   2 769    10 414   5 688   9 166 

Other comprehensive income: items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

        

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   99  (37 (226   (182 99  (37
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 
   99   (37  (226   (182  99   (37

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   947  (7 916 1 716 

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   (157 114  (542

Cash flow hedges recognized in equity

   512  (60 110    182  512  (60

Cash flow hedges reclassified from equity to profit or loss

   (565 (36 (3   (292 (565 (36
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 
   (7 863  1 077   (1 234   680   (7 855  1 077 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

   (7 764  1 040   (1 460   498   (7 756  1 040 

Total comprehensive income

   (2 073  10 223   1 309    10 912   (2 068  10 205 

Attributable to:

        

Equity holders of AB InBev

   (3 005 8 838  (275   10 044  (2 998 8 831 

Non-controlling interest

   932  1 385  1 584    867  930  1 374 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1

The consolidated statements of comprehensive income for 2018 and 2017 have been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application.

Consolidated statement of financial position

 

As at

Million US dollar

  Notes   31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   Notes   31 December
2019
   31 December
2018 restated1
   1 January
2018 restated¹
 

ASSETS

              

Non-current assets

              

Property, plant and equipment

   13    25 910    27 184    13    27 544    27 615    29 233 

Goodwill

   14    133 311    140 940    14    128 114    133 311    140 940 

Intangible assets

   15    44 831    45 874    15    42 452    44 831    45 874 

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   16    6 136    5 263    16    5 861    6 136    5 263 

Investment securities

   17    108    100    17    110    108    100 

Deferred tax assets

   18    1 457    1 216    18    1 719    1 517    1 251 

Employee benefits

   25    16    22    25    14    16    22 

Income tax receivables

     992    708      1 081    992    708 

Derivatives

   29    291    25    29    132    291    25 

Trade and other receivables

   20    769    834    20    807    769    834 
    

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total non-current assets

     213 822    222 166      207 834    215 587    224 251 

Current assets

              

Investment securities

   17    87    1 304    17    92    87    1 304 

Inventories

   19    4 234    4 119    19    4 427    4 234    4 119 

Income tax receivables

     457    908      627    457    908 

Derivatives

   29    16    458    29    230    16    458 

Trade and other receivables

   20    6 375    6 566    20    6 187    6 375    6 566 

Cash and cash equivalents

   21    7 074    10 472    21    7 238    7 074    10 472 

Assets classified as held for sale

   22    39    133    22    10 013    39    133 
    

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total current assets

     18 281    23 960      28 814    18 281    23 960 
    

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total assets

     232 103    246 126      236 648    233 868    248 208 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

              

Equity

              

Issued capital

   23    1 736    1 736    23    1 736    1 736    1 736 

Share premium

     17 620    17 620      17 620    17 620    17 620 

Reserves

     19 056    24 835      24 882    19 061    24 833 

Retained earnings

     26 074    28 394      31 484    26 068    28 387 
    

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     64 486    72 585      75 722    64 485    72 576 

Non-controlling interests

   33    7 418    7 635    33    8 831    7 404    7 624 
    

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total equity

     71 904    80 220      84 553    71 889    80 200 

Non-current liabilities

              

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   24    105 584    108 949    24    97 564    106 997    110 637 

Employee benefits

   25    2 681    2 993    25    2 848    2 681    2 993 

Deferred tax liabilities

   18    13 165    13 107    18    12 824    13 165    13 107 

Income tax payables

     576    732      1 022    576    732 

Derivatives

   29    766    937    29    352    766    937 

Trade and other payables

   28    1 816    1 462    28    1 943    1 816    1 462 

Provisions

   27    1 152    1 515    27    701    1 152    1 515 
    

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

     125 740    129 695      117 254    127 153    131 383 

Current liabilities

              

Bank overdrafts

   21    114    117    21    68    114    117 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   24    4 216    7 433    24    5 410    4 584    7 846 

Income tax payables

     1 220    1 558      1 346    1 220    1 558 

Derivatives

   29    5 574    1 457    29    3 799    5 574    1 457 

Trade and other payables

   28    22 568    24 762    28    22 864    22 568    24 762 

Provisions

   27    766    885    27    210    766    885 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

   22    1 145    —      —   
    

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total current liabilities

     34 459    36 211      34 841    34 826    36 625 
    

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

     232 103    246 126      236 648    233 868    248 208 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1

The consolidated statements of financial position as at 31 December 2018 and 1 January 2018 have been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application. The Australian operations have been classified as assets held for sale as at 31 December 2019 without restatement of the respective balances as at 31 December 2018 as required by IFRS 5.

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 

                                                                                                                                    
   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

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     7 990   7 990   1 176   9 166 

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   —     7 990   8 831   1 374   10 205 

Dividends

   —      —      —     —      —      —     (93  (7 821  (7 914  (1 316  (9 230

Treasury shares

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     —     —     —     —   

Share-based payments

   —      —      —     —      316    —     —     —     316   18   333 

Sale/(purchase) ofnon-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   28 387   72 576   7 624   80 200 
   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   28 387   72 576   7 624   80 200 

Impact of adopting IFRSs 9 and 152

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     (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   28 383   72 572   7 582   80 154 

Profit of the period

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     4 370   4 370   1 318   5 688 

Other comprehensive income

                

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   —      —      —     —      —      (7 374  —     —     (7 374  (429  (7 802

Cash flow hedges

   —      —      —     —      —      (92  —     —     (92  40   (52

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      —     —      —      98   —     —     98   1   99 

Total comprehensive income

   —      —      —     —      —      (7 368  —     4 370   (2 998  930   (2 068

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 

Sale/(purchase) ofnon-controlling interests

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     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    (22 152  —     26 068   64 485   7 404   71 889 

 

1 

See Note 23Changes in equity and earnings per share.

2 

See Note 6 Acquisitions and disposals.

3

During 2016, the company reclassified the results (E)Summary of treasury shares of 1 452m US dollar to retained earnings.changes in accounting policies.

  Attributable to equity holders of AB InBev       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
   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 

As per 1 January 2019

   1 736    17 620    (6 549  45 726    2 037    (22 152  —      26 068   64 485   7 404   71 889 

Profit of the period

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     4 368   4 368   1 323   5 691    —      —      —     —      —      —     —      9 171   9 171   1 243   10 414 

Other comprehensive income

                                 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   —      —      —     —      —      (7 379  —     —    (7 379 (431 (7 810   —      —      —     —      —      1 143   —      —    1 143  (353 790 

Cash flow hedges

   —      —      —     —      —      (92  —     —    (92 40  (52   —      —      —     —      —      (97  —      —    (97 (13 (110

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      —     —      —      98   —     —    98  1  99    —      —      —     —      —      (173  —      —    (173 (9 (182

Total comprehensive income

   —      —      —     —      —      (7 373  —     4 368   (3 005  932   (2 073   —      —      —     —        873   —      9 171   10 044   867   10 912 

Dividends

   —      —      —     —      —      —    (56 (6 258 (6 314 (1 123 (7 437   —      —      —     —      —      —     —      (4 117 (4 117 (1 062 (5 179

Treasury shares1

   —      —      2 431   —      —      —    (1 063 (1 368  —     —     —   

Treasury shares

   —      —      279   —      —      —     —      (279  —     —     —   

Share-based payments

   —      —      —     —      284    —     —     —    284  6  290    —      —      —     —      290    —     —      —    290  29  319 

Purchase/(sale) of non-controlling interest

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —    429  429  (429  —   

Sale/(purchase) ofnon-controlling interest

   —      —      —    4 378    —      —     —      —    4 378  1 427  5 805 

Hyperinflation monetary adjustments

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —    560  560  345  905    —      —      —     —      —      —     —      219  219  135  354 

Scope and other changes

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —    (48 (48 94  46    —      —      —     —      —      —     —      421  421  31  452 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

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 

As per 31 December 2019

   1 736    17 620    (6 270  50 104    2 327    (21 279  —      31 484   75 722   8 831   84 553 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

1 

See Note 3 (E)23Summary of changesChanges in accounting policiesequity and earnings per share..

Consolidated statement of cash flows

 

For the year ended 31 December

Million US dollar

  Notes   2018 2017 2016   Notes   2019 2018
restated
 2017
restated
 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

            

Profit of the period

     5 691   9 183   2 769 

Profit from continuing operations

     9 990   5 157   8 606 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   10    4 260  4 276  3 477    10    4 657  4 624  4 625 

Impairment losses on receivables, inventories and other assets

     115  130  110      112  107  130 

Additions/(reversals) in provisions and employee benefits

     505  178  293      216  504  175 

Net finance cost/(income)

   11    8 729  6 507  8 564    11    3 473  8 826  6 626 

Loss/(gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

     (82 (117 (4     (149 (82 (104

Loss/(gain) on sale of subsidiaries, associates and assets held for sale

     (20 (47 (410     (34 (20 (47

Equity-settled share-based payment expense

   26    337  351  231    26    340  333  348 

Income tax expense

   12    2 839  1 920  1 613    12    2 786  2 585  1 658 

Other non-cash items included in profit

     (660 (284 (286     (220 (654 (261

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

     (153 (430 (16     (152 (153 (430
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

     21 561   21 667   16 341      21 019   21 227   21 326 

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

     (38 67  (714     (258 (105 98 

Decrease/(increase) in inventories

     (603 (213 (364     (426 (588 (255

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

     1 153  365  1 251      679  1 170  292 

Pension contributions and use of provisions

     (488 (616 (470     (715 (487 (577
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash generated from operations

     21 585   21 270   16 044      20 299   21 217   20 884 

Interest paid

     (4 445 (4 652 (3 279     (4 450 (4 559 (4 777

Interest received

     428  811  558      523  429  811 

Dividends received

     141  142  43      160  141  143 

Income tax paid

     (3 047 (2 141 (3 256     (3 136 (3 047 (2 141
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     14 663   15 430   10 110 

Cash flow from operating activities

     13 396   14 181   14 920 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

            

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   13/15    (5 086 (4 741 (4 979   13/15    (5 174 (5 005 (4 680

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

     437  617  211      320  437  538 

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   6    (385 (84 (571

Sale of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of

   6    257  42  653    6    133  257  40 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of investment in short-term debt securities

   17    1 296  4 337  (5 583   17    (9 1 296  4 337 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

     (172 (264 119      (25 (172 (277

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

     (156 213  (229     12  (156 215 

Proceeds from assets held for sale

     55   —    15 

Proceeds from SAB transaction-related divestitures

       (330 11 697 

Taxes on SAB transaction-related divestitures

       (100 (3 449
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (3 965  7 854   (60 077

Cash flow from investing activities

     (5 073  (3 857  7 865 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

            

Purchase of non-controlling interest

   23    (923 (206 (10

(Purchase)/sale ofnon-controlling interest

   23    222  (923 (207

Proceeds from public offering of minority stake in Budweiser APAC

   23    5 575   —     —   

Proceeds from borrowings

   24    17 782  13 352  86 292    24    22 584  17 782  13 352 

Payments on borrowings

   24    (22 489 (23 333 (23 617   24    (30 592 (22 489 (23 333

Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

     (554 (1 542 (3 484     (845 (513 (1 498

Payment of lease liabilities

     (441 (423 (373

Dividends paid

     (7 761 (9 275 (8 450     (5 015 (7 761 (9 275
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

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 flow from financing activities

     (8 512  (14 327  (21 334
    

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents on continuing operations

     (189  (4 003  1 451 
    

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents on discontinued operations

   22    539   755   827 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

     10 356  8 395  6 910      6 960  10 356  8 395 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

     (148 (319 721      (141 (148 (319
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of period

   21    6 960   10 356   8 395    21    7 169   6 960   10 355 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

   Note 

Corporate information

   1 

Statement of compliance

   2 

Summary of significant accounting policies

   3 

Use of estimates and judgments

   4 

Segment reporting

   5 

Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries

   6 

Other operating income/(expenses)

   7 

Exceptional items

   8 

Payroll and related benefits

   9 

Additional information on operating expenses by nature

   10 

Finance cost and income

   11 

Income taxes

   12 

Property, plant and equipment

   13 

Goodwill

   14 

Intangible assets

   15 

Investments in associates

   16 

Investment securities

   17 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

   18 

Inventories

   19 

Trade and other receivables

   20 

Cash and cash equivalents

   21 

Assets classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations

   22 

Changes in equity and earnings per share

   23 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   24 

Employee benefits

   25 

Share-based payments

   26 

Provisions

   27 

Trade and other payables

   28 

Risks arising from financial instruments

   29 

Operating leases

   30 

Collateral and contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, loans to customers and other

   31 

Contingencies

   32 

Non-controlling interests

   33 

Related parties

   34 

Supplemental guarantor financial information

   35 

Events after the balance sheet date

   36 

AB InBev companies

   37 

1.

Corporate information

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®, CastleHoegaarden®, Castle Lite®, HoegaardenLeffe® and LeffeMichelob Ultra®; and local champions such as Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Michelob Ultra®, Modelo Especial®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin® 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 175170 000 employees based in nearly 50 countries worldwide. For 2018,2019, AB InBev’s reported revenue was 54.652.3 billion US dollar (excluding joint ventures and associates).

The consolidated financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 December 20182019 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 1311 March 2019.2020.

 

2.

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 20182019 (collectively “IFRS”). AB InBev did not early apply any new IFRS requirements that were not yet effective in 20182019 and did not apply any European carve-outs from IFRS.

 

3.

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

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

Unless otherwise specified, all financial information included in these financial statements has 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

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

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 associates Anadolu Efes and Castel are reported on a three-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 3637AB InBev companies.

 

(E)

SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

IFRS WITH EFFECTIVE APPLICATION FOR ANNUAL PERIODS BEGINNING ONwith effective application for annual periods beginning on 1STst JANUARY 2018:January 2019:

IFRS 916Financial Instruments and IFRS 15Revenue from Contracts with CustomersLeases became effective on 1 January 20182019 and werewas applied by the company for the first time as of that date.

IFRS 9 Financial Instrumentsdate, under the full retrospective application, with an initial application date as of 1 January 2017.

IFRS 916 Leases

IFRS 16 replaces the current lease accounting requirements and introduces significant changes to lessee accounting, removing the distinction between operating and finance leases under IAS 3917Leases and contains three main topics: classificationrelated interpretations and measurementrequiring a lessee to recognize aright-of-use asset and a lease liability at lease commencement date. IFRS 16 also requires the recognition of financial instruments, impairment of financialdepreciation charges relating toright-of-use assets and hedge accounting. The new hedge accounting model representsinterest expenses on lease liabilities, as compared to the recognition of operating lease expenses or rental costs on a significant overhaulstraight-line basis over the lease term, as was the case under prior requirements. In addition, the company has amended the consolidated cash flow statement presentation in order to segregate the payment of hedge accounting that alignsleases 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 accounting treatment with risk managementcompany continues to recognize a lease expense on a straight-line basis as permitted by IFRS 16, and payments for these leases are presented in cash flow from operating activities. IFRS 9 also removesAs a lessor, the volatility in profitcompany continues to classify leases as either finance leases or loss that was caused by changes in the credit riskoperating leases and accounts for those two types of liabilities elected to be measured at fair value.leases differently.

The company has appliedchosen the full retrospective application of IFRS 9Financial Instrumentsas of the effective date, without restatement of16 and, consequently, has restated the comparative information forin these financial statements. In addition, 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 the practical expedient available on transition to IFRS 15Revenue from Contracts with Customers as16 to not reassess whether a contract is or contains a lease. Accordingly, the definition of a lease under IAS 17 and its related interpretations will continue to apply to the leases entered or modified before 1 January 2019.

As a function of the effective date in accordance withtransition to IFRS 16, the modified retrospective application. Under this approach, the cumulative effectcompany recognized 1.7 billion US dollar of initially applying IFRS 15 must be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balanceright-of-use assets and 1.8 billion US dollar of equitylease liabilities. Lease liabilities are measured at the datepresent value of initial application and comparative periods are not restated. Onfuture lease payments discounted using incremental borrowing rates that consider the implementation date, the adjustment to the opening balance of equity resulted in a decreasenature of the retained earnings by 123m US dollar, to reflectunderlying assets and term of the changesleases.

Additional information is presented in accounting policies related to performance that, in accordance with IFRS 15, should be related to the transaction price underlying 2017 revenue.Note 13Property, plant and equipment, Note 24Interest-bearing loans and borrowings and Note 29Risks arising from financial instruments.

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 20182019 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.

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

Effective 1 January 2019, AB InBev adopted IFRIC 23Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments and has elected to apply IFRIC 23 retrospectively. The cumulative effect of the interpretation was recognized at the date of initial application and the company has not restated comparative periods in the year of initial application. AB InBev reviewed the income tax treatments in order to determine whether the interpretation could have an impact on the consolidated financial statements. In that respect, as at 31 December 2019, the company reclassified 573m US dollar of its existing income tax provisions into income tax liabilities, consistently with the current discussions held at the IFRS Interpretation Committee, which concluded that an entity is required to present assets and liabilities for uncertain tax treatments as current tax assets/liabilities or deferred tax assets/liabilities.

 

(F)

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 exchange rates prevailing on the date of the balance sheet date rate.sheet. 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 rulingprevailing at the dates the fair value was determined.

TRANSLATION OF THE RESULTS AND FINANCIAL POSITION OF FOREIGN OPERATIONS

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 atperiod-end exchange rates are taken to other comprehensive income (translation reserves).

FINANCIAL REPORTING IN HYPERINFLATIONARY ECONOMIESFinancial Reporting in hyperinflationary economies

In May 2018, the Argentinean peso underwent a severe devaluation, resulting in theleading Argentina’s three-year cumulative inflation of Argentina to exceed 100%, thereby and thus, triggering the requirement to transition to hyperinflation accounting as prescribed by IAS 29Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies. IAS 29 requires to reportthat the results of the company’s Argentinian operations in Argentinabe reported 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 statementstatements of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflationary economies are restated for changes in the general purchasing power of the local currency, applying a general price index. Thesere-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 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:

  31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2016
   31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2016
   31 December
2019
   31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2019
   31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
 

Argentinean peso

   37.807879    18.774210    15.850116    —      16.580667    14.762591    59.890668    37.807879    18.774210    —      —      16.580667 

Australian dollar

   1.416593    1.279580    1.384689    1.334300    1.308997    1.3440978    1.423804    1.416593    1.279580    1.438543    1.334300    1.308997 

Brazilian real

   3.874806    3.308005    3.259106    3.634827    3.201667    3.474928    4.030696    3.874806    3.308005    3.940998    3.634827    3.201667 

Canadian dollar

   1.362882    1.253982    1.345983    1.293896    1.303248    1.318844    1.299449    1.362882    1.253982    1.329140    1.293896    1.303248 

Colombian peso

   3 246.70    2 988.60    3 002.14    2 967.36    2 965.94    2 986.89    3 272.63    3 246.70    2 988.60    3 305.84    2 967.36    2 965.94 

Chinese yuan

   6.877787    6.507500    6.944520    6.581607    6.785290    6.607635    6.961461    6.877787    6.507500    6.886265    6.581607    6.785290 

Euro

   0.873362    0.833819    0.948677    0.845697    0.886817    0.902821    0.890155    0.873362    0.833819    0.892577    0.845697    0.886817 

Mexican peso

   19.682728    19.735828    20.663842    19.195084    18.811612    18.464107    18.845242    19.682728    19.735828    19.334915    19.195084    18.811612 

Pound sterling

   0.781249    0.739790    0.812238    0.750773    0.773029    0.737400    0.757344    0.781249    0.739790    0.784062    0.750773    0.773029 

Peruvian nuevo sol

   3.369998    3.244558    3.352820    3.284477    3.267432    3.394121    3.317006    3.369998    3.244558    3.346670    3.284477    3.267432 

South Korean won

   1 115.40    1 067.63    1 203.90    1 095.46    1 134.04    1 154.50    1 154.54    1 115.40    1 067.63    1 160.69    1 095.46    1 134.04 

South African rand

   14.374909    12.345193    13.714953    13.105486    13.338803    14.0166901    14.044287    14.374909    12.345193    14.512975    13.105486    13.338803 

Turkish lira

   5.291532    3.790879    3.516940    4.560685    3.615028    3.50148 

 

(G)

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 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 RIGHTSSupply 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.

SOFTWARE

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 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 hashave 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 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 havecontrol has 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 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 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 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 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

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.

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 havecontrol has 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

LeasesThe company as lessee

The company assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease at inception of property,a contract. The company recognizes aright-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability with respect to all lease agreements in which it is the lessee, except for short-term leases (defined as leases with a lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low value assets. For these leases, the company recognizes the lease payments as an operating expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, and payments for these leases are presented in cash flow from operating activities.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted by using the rate implicit in the lease. If this rate cannot be readily determined, the company uses its incremental borrowing rate specific to the country, term and currency of the contract. In addition, the company considers its recent debt issuances as well as publicly available data for instruments with similar characteristics when calculating the incremental borrowing rates.

Lease payments include fixed payments, less any lease incentives, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate known at the commencement date, and purchase options or extension option payments if the company is reasonably certain to exercise these options. Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate are not included in the measurement of the lease liability andright-of-use asset and are recognized as an expense in the income statement in the period in which the event or condition that triggers those payments occurs.

A lease liability is remeasured upon a change in the lease term, changes in an index or rate used to determine the lease payments or reassessment of exercise of a purchase option. The corresponding adjustment is made to the relatedright-of-use asset.

Theright-of-use assets comprise the initial measurement of the corresponding lease liability, lease payments made at or before the commencement day and any initial direct costs. They are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Theright-of-use assets are depreciated starting at the commencement date over the shorter period of useful life of the underlying asset and lease term (refer to accounting policies J and O).

The lease liability is presented in the ‘Interest-bearing loans and borrowings’ line and theright-of-use assets are presented in the ‘Property, plant and equipmentequipment’ line in the consolidated statement of financial position. In addition, the principal portion of the lease payments is presented within financing activities and the interest component is presented within operating activities in the consolidated cash flow statement.

The company as lessor

Leases where the company assumestransfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee 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 lessorcompany are classified as operating leases. Payments made underRental income is recognized in other 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 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.

 

(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.adjusted for the time value of money. The company holds trade and other receivables with the objective to collect the contractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortisedamortized 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 AMOUNTCalculation of recoverable amount

The recoverable amount ofnon-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 LOSSESReversal 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 andnon-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

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 ofover-the-counter derivatives is determined by commonly used valuation techniques.

DEBT SECURITIESDebt 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 ATEquity 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 LIABILITIESNon-derivative financial liabilities

The fair value ofnon-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 CAPITALRepurchase 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 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

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 of AB InBevInBev’s 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 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.

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

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 theso-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 SOLDGoods 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 INCOMERoyalty 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 INCOMERental income

Rental income is recognized in other operating income on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

GOVERNMENT GRANTSGovernment 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 INCOMEFinance 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 INCOMEDividend income

Dividend income is recognized in the income statement on the date that the dividend is declared.

(Y)

EXPENSES

FINANCE COSTSFinance 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 (in accretion expense) using the effective interest rate method.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL COSTS AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT COSTSResearch 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, 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 MEASUREMENTClassification 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 arenon-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 ACCOUNTINGFinancial 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 andnon-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 ACCOUNTINGCash 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 anon-financial item, the amount accumulated in the hedging reserves is included directly in the initial carrying amount of thenon-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

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 ACCOUNTINGNet investment hedge accounting

When anon-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.

OFFSETTINGOffsetting

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 ninesix 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 sixfive geographic regions are North America, LatinMiddle Americas, South 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 historical 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 sixfive geographic regions plus the Global Export and Holding Companies comprise the company’s sevensix 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 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) 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-currentre-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 from annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019) replaces the current lease accounting requirements and introduces significant changes to lessee accounting as it removes the distinction between operating and finance leases under IAS 17Leases and related interpretations and requires a lessee 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 2019 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 related 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 consolidatedrestated financial statements for leases previously classified as operating leases. On transition to IFRS 16, the company will recognize 1 692m US dollar of right-of-use assets and 1 782m US dollar of lease 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 did not make any material changes to these lease liabilities.

Other Standards, Interpretations and Amendments to Standardsyear ended 31 December 2019.

A number of other amendments to standards are effective for annual periods beginning after 1 January 2018,2019, and have not been listed abovediscussed either because of either theirnon-applicability to or their immateriality to AB InBev’s consolidated financial statements.

4.

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.

TheThese 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, if the revision affects both current and future periods, 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 expenseexpenses and liability.liabilities. 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 determiningto determine 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 isestimates are 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 that 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 nextfollowing 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 relate mainly related to the following: the reporting of the 50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes’ existing Russia and Ukraine businesses into AB InBev Efes thatwhich closed on 30 March 2018; the adoption of hyperinflation accounting for the company’s Argentinean operations; the reporting of proceeds from the public offering of a minority stake in the company’s Asia Pacific subsidiary, Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited (“Budweiser APAC”); and the reporting of its Australian operations as assets held for sale as discussed below.

(A)

MERGER OF BUSINESSES IN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE WITH ANADOLU EFES

On 30 March 2018, – seeAB InBev announced the completion of the 50:50 merger of its Russia and Ukraine businesses with those of Anadolu Efes. Following completion, the company’s 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 Anadolu Efes financial accounts. AB InBev has stopped consolidating the results of these operations as of the second quarter 2018 and account for its investment in AB InBev Efes under the equity method. Refer to Note 6Acquisitions and disposals of Subsidiaries and NoteandNote 16Investments in associates, and to the adoption of hyperinflation accounting for the company’s Argentinean operations..

(B)

HYPERINFLATION IN ARGENTINA

In May 2018, the Argentinean peso underwent a severe devaluation, resulting in theArgentina’s three-year cumulative inflation of Argentina to exceedexceeding 100% in 2018, thereby triggering the requirement toand thus requiring a transition to hyperinflation accounting as prescribedof 1 January 2018, as required 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, each of (1) thenon-monetary assets and liabilities stated at historical cost and (2) 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 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 consolidatedtheyear-to-date September 2018 unaudited condensed interim financial statements, applying the IAS 29 rules as follows:

Hyperinflation accounting was appliedwith effect as of 1 January 2018;2018. The IAS 29 rules are applied as follows:

 

  

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 accounting 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 throughin the income statement onin 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 andindex. It is converted at the closing exchange rate of each period (rather than the year to dateyear-to-date average rate which is used fornon-hyperinflationary economies), thereby restating the year to dateyear-to-date income statement account for both for inflation index and currency conversion;

The prior year income statement and balance sheet of the Argentinean subsidiaries were not restated.conversion.

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 20182019 results, restated for purchasing power, were translated at the December 2019 closing rate of 59.890668 Argentinean pesos per US dollar (2018 results - at 37.807879 Argentinean pesos per US dollar.dollar).

In

(C)

ANNOUNCED DIVESTITURE OF AUSTRALIA BUSINESS TO ASAHI

On 19 July 2019, AB InBev announced an agreement to divest its Australia business (Carlton & United Breweries) to Asahi for AUD 16.0 billion, equivalent to approximately USD 11.2 billion1. As part of this transaction, the company will grant Asahi rights to commercialize its portfolio of global and international brands in Australia. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions, including but not limited to regulatory approvals in Australia.

Effective 30 September 2019, AB InBev classified the assets and liabilities associated with the Australian operations as assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale in accordance with IAS 21IFRS 5The EffectsNon-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. In addition, since the results of the Australian operations represent a separate major line of business, these are now accounted for as discontinued operations as required by IFRS 5 and presented in a separate line in the consolidated income statement (“profit from discontinued operations”). Refer to Note 22Assets classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations.

(D)

LISTING OF BUDWEISER APAC ON THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE

On 30 September 2019, the company successfully completed the listing of a minority stake of its Asia Pacific subsidiary, Budweiser APAC, on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for USD 5.75 billion (including the exercise of an over-allotment option). On 3 October 2019, the over-allotment option in connection with the initial public offering of a minority stake of Budweiser APAC was fully exercised. Following the full exercise of the over-allotment option, AB InBev controls 87.22% of the issued share capital of Budweiser APAC. Refer to Note 23Changes in Foreign Exchange Ratesequity and earnings per share., 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.

1

Converted into US dollars at the December 2019 closing rate of 1.423803.

5.

Segment reporting

Segment information is presented by geographical segments, consistent with the information that is available to and regularly evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker. AB InBev operates its business through sevensix business segments. Regional and operating company management is responsible for managing performance, underlying risks, and the 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 the allocation of resources.

The company’s six geographicorganizational structure effective as of 1 January 2019 comprises five regions: North America, LatinMiddle Americas, South America, West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA and Asia Pacific, plus itsPacific. In addition to these five geographic regions, the company uses a sixth segment, Global Export and Holding Companies, comprise the company’s seven reportable segments for all financial reporting purposes. Key changes made to company’s segment structure were as follows: (i) the Middle Americas region combines the former Latin America West region and the business unit Central America and Caribbean, which was previously reported in Latin America North region, and (ii) the South America region combines the former Latin America South region and Brazil, which was previously reported in Latin America North region. These organizational changes were effective as of 1 January 2019 and have been reflected in these consolidated financial statements.

AB InBev has restated the 2018 results (referred to as “2018 restated”) to reflect:

the new company organizational structure effective 1 January 2019;

the new IFRS rules on lease accounting as if the company had applied the new standard as of 1 January 2018; and

the classification of the Australian operations as a disposal group held for sale as if the classification had been applied as of 1 January 2018, in line with IFRS rules. Refer to Note 22Assets classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations for more details.

The results of the former SAB Central and Eastern European Business were reported as “Results from discontinued operations” until the completion of the disposal that took place on 31 March 2017. The results of Distell were 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. Furthermore, the company stopped consolidating CCBA in its consolidated financial statements as from the completion of the 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 %).

 

  North America Latin America
West
 Latin America
North
 Latin America
South
 EMEA   North America Middle Americas South America EMEA Asia Pacific 
  2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016   2019 2018
restated
 2017
restated
 2019 2018
restated
 2017
restated
 2019 2018
restated
 2017
restated
 2019 2018
restated
 2017
restated
 2019 2018
restated
 2017
restated
 

Volume

   111   114   117   115   111   64   115   119   118   34   34   32   87   132   75    108   111   114   134   129   124   140   136   140   86   87   132   93   96   94 

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    15 488   15 504   15 588   11 912   11 614   10 780   9 790   10 238   11 596   7 911   8 368   10 344   6 544   6 735   6 094 

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    6 185   6 199   6 377   6 356   6 033   5 265   4 145   4 696   5 243   2 781   3 184   3 516   2 287   2 178   1 804 

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   39.9 40.0 40.9 53.4 51.9 48.8 42.3 45.9 45.2 35.2 38.1 34.0 35.0 32.3 29.6

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   (790 (843 (809 (653 (616 (388 (761 (848 (750 (265 (207 (191 (770 (843 (473   (833 (834 (886 (921 (844 (781 (955 (1 008 (1 064 (974 (936 (992 (648 (734 (649

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    5 352   5 365   5 492   5 435   5 189   4 483   3 190   3 688   4 179   1 807   2 248   2 524   1 639   1 444   1 155 

Exceptional items (see Note 8)

   (10 4  (29 (125 (153 252  5  (18 (20 (31 (13 (12 (370 (144 (118   (11 (10 4  (51 (151 (158 (96 1  (26 (61 (370 (144 (41 (43 (44

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    5 341   5 355   5 495   5 384   5 038   4 325   3 094   3 689   4 153   1 746   1 878   2 381   1 598   1 401   1 110 

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    63 725  63 443  63 341  76 168  71 844  74 196  13 452  13 250  13 858  39 442  42 874  46 889  13 450  22 545  24 189 

Gross capex

   858  530  895  1 227  1 079  710  636  580  709  279  323  389  1 177  1 086  1 001    679  917  530  1 286  1 324  1 206  1 063  777  776  1 208  1 163  1 086  626  599  564 

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    20 040  19 323  19 306  52 412  53 140  56 006  41 603  40 503  41 140  23 804  23 604  26 823  29 482  31 523  36 386 

  Asia Pacific Global Export and holding
companies
 Consolidated   Global Export and holding
companies
 Consolidated 
  2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016   2019 2018
restated
 2017
restated
 2019 2018
restated
 2017
restated
 

Volume

   104   102   92   —     1   2   567   613   500    1   1   2   561   560   605 

Revenue

   8 470   7 804   6 074   419   332   1 237   54 619   56 444   45 517    685   582   457   52 329   53 041   54 859 

Normalized EBITDA

   3 082   2 695   1 639   (656  (577  (474  22 080   22 084   16 753    (676  (558  (510  21 078   21 732   21 695 

Normalized EBITDA margin %

   36.4 34.5 27.1    40.4 39.1 36.8   —     —     —    40.3 41.0 39.5

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   (752 (660 (658 (267 (253 (210 (4 260 (4 270 (3 477   (325 (269 (253 (4 657 (4 624 (4 625

Normalized profit from operations (EBIT)

   2 330   2 035   987   (923  (830  (683  17 821   17 814   13 276    (1 001  (827  (764  16 421   17 107   17 069 

Exceptional items (see Note 8)

   (65 (97 (84 (119 (241 (383 (715 (662 (394   (63 (119 (241 (323 (692 (609

Profit from operations (EBIT)

   2 265   1 939   903   (1 042  (1 071  (1 066  17 106   17 152   12 882    (1 064  (946  (1 004  16 098   16 414   16 460 

Net finance income/(cost)

        (8 729 (6 507 (8 564     (3 473 (8 826 (6 626

Share of results of associates and joint ventures

        153  430  16      152  153  430 

Income tax expense

        (2 839 (1 920 (1 613     (2 786 (2 585 (1 658

Profit from continuing operations

         5 691   9 155   2 721       9 990   5 157   8 606 

Discontinued operations

         —    28  48      424  531  560 

Profit/(loss)

         5 691   9 183   2 769       10 414   5 688   9 166 

Segment assets (non-current)

   22 412  24 088  22 071  1 609  1 741  1 797  213 861  222 166  213 569    1 595  1 631  1 778  207 834  215 587  224 251 

Gross capex

   687  635  837  233  247  379  5 086  4 479  4 919    312  224  247  5 174  5 005  4 409 

FTE

   31 523  36 386  39 213  4 683  3 254  3 245  172 603  182 915  206 633    4 574  4 683  3 254  171 915  172 776  182 915 

For the period ended 31 December 2018,2019, net revenue from the beer business amounted to 50 134m47 984m US dollar (31 December 2017: 50 301m2018: 48 602m US dollar; 31 December 2016: 41 421m2017: 50 703m US dollar) while the net revenue from thenon-beer business (soft drinks and other business) accounted for 4 485m345m US dollar (31 December 2017: 6 143m2018: 4 439m US dollar; 31 December 2016:2017: 4 096m156m US dollar). Additionally, for the period ended 31 December 2019, net revenue from the company’s business in the United States amounted to 13 693m US dollar (31 December 2018: 13 624m US dollar; 31 December 2017: 13 705m US dollar) and net revenue from the company’s business in Brazil amounted to 7 277m US dollar (31 December 2018: 7 375m US dollar; 31 December 2017: 8 233m US dollar).

On the same basis, net revenue from external customers attributable to AB InBev’s country of domicile (Belgium) represented 668m US dollar (31 December 2018: 710m US dollar (2017:dollar; 31 December 2017: 704m US dollar; 2016: 687m US dollar) andnon-current assets located in the country of domicile represented 1 746m2 215m US dollar (2017: 1 658m(31 December 2018: 2 117m US dollar, 2016: 1 440mdollar; 31 December 2017: 2 106m US dollar).

6.

Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries

The table below summarizes the impact of acquisitions and disposals on the statement of financial position and cash flows of AB InBev for 31 December 20182019 and 31 December 2017:2018:

 

Million US dollar

  2018
Acquisitions
   2017
Acquisitions
   2018
Disposals
   2017
Disposals
   2019
Acquisitions
   2018
Acquisitions
   2019
Disposals
   2018
Disposals
 

Non-current assets

                

Property, plant and equipment

   2    169    (310   —      44    2    (1   (310

Intangible assets

   24    417    (17   —      128    24    (29   (17

Deferred tax assets

   23    —      —      —      —      23    —      —   

Trade and other receivables

   —      1    (86   —      —      —      —      (86

Investments in associates

   (15   —      —      —   

Current assets

                

Inventories

   17    9    (84   —      43    17    (7   (84

Income tax receivables

   —      —      (2   —      —      —      —      (2

Trade and other receivables

   2    20    (79   —      19    2    (1   (79

Cash and cash equivalents

   8    5    (6   —      40    8    —      (6

Assets held for sale

   —      27    (27   —      —      —      —      (27

Non-current liabilities

                

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   (3   (1   —      —      (11   (3   —      —   

Trade and other payables

   (110   —      —      —   

Deferred tax liabilities

   —      (74   4    —      (33   —      9    4 

Current liabilities

                

Trade and other payables

   (19   (24   406    —      (65   (19   2    406 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net identifiable assets and liabilities

   54    549    (201   —      40    54    (27   (201

Non-controlling interest

   —      (114   1    —      (12   —      2    1 

Goodwill on acquisitions and goodwill disposed of

   107    398    (652   —      682    107    (22   (652

Loss/(gain) on disposal

   —      —      (15   (42   —      —      (21   (15

Consideration to be (paid)/received

   (112   (375   47    —      (275   (112   —      47 

Net cash paid on prior years acquisitions

   68    136    —      —      16    68    (65   —   

Recycling of cumulative translation adjustment in respect of net assets

   —      —      (584   —   

Recycling of CTA in respect of net assets

   —      —      —      (584

Contribution in kind

   —      —      1 150    —      —      —      —      1 150 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Consideration paid/(received)

   117    594    (254   (42   451    117    (133   (254

Cash (acquired)/ disposed of

   (5   (5   (3   —   

Cash (acquired)/disposed of

   (40   (5   —      (3
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net cash outflow / (inflow)

   112    589    (257   (42   411    112    (133   (257

Net cash outflow / (inflow) on continuing operations

   385    84    (133   (257

Net cash outflow / (inflow) on discontinued operations

   26    28    —      —   

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 thebusinesses as discussed in Note 4 (A). This transaction the operations of AB InBev and Anadolu Efes in Russia and Ukraine are 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 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 %50% investment AB InBev will hold in AB InBev Efes after adjustment for net debt. See also Note 16Investments in associates.

When a parent loses control of a subsidiary, IFRS 10 requires all assets and liabilities of the former subsidiary to be derecognized and any gain or loss associated with the deemed disposal interest to be recognized in the consolidated income statement. IFRS also requires that any amounts previously recognized in the consolidated statement of other comprehensive income, including historical translation adjustments, be recycled to the consolidated income statement, at the date when control is lost.

On 30 March 2018, AB InBev has derecognized 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 7m US dollar (see also Note 8Exceptional items).

In the first quarter of 2017, AB InBev and Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. established a joint venture for 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 owns 70% of the voting and economic interest in the joint venture. Under IFRS, this transaction was accounted for as a business combination as AB InBev was deemed as the accounting acquirer as per IFRS rules.

The company undertook a series of additional acquisitions and disposals during 20172018 and 2018,2019, with no significant impact in the company’s consolidated financial statements.

7.

Other operating income/(expenses)

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018
restated
   2017
restated
 

Government grants

   317    404    432    280    317    404 

License income

   45    65    65    30    45    65 

Net (additions to)/reversals of provisions

   (11   (4   (50   (10   (11   (4

Net gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and assets held for sale

   80    154    37    172    80    140 

Net rental and other operating income

   249    235    248    402    374    341 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Other operating income/(expenses)

   680    854    732    875    805    946 

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 2018,2019, the company expensed 285m291m US dollar in research, compared to 276m US dollar in 20172018 and 244m265m US dollar in 2016.2017. The spend focused on product innovations, market research, as well as process optimization and product development.

 

8.

Exceptional items

IAS 1Presentation of financial statements requires that material items of income and expense to be disclosed separately. Exceptional items are items whichthat in management’s judgment, need to be disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence in order for theso that a user tocan obtain a proper understanding of the company’s financial information. The company considers these items to be of significance in nature,significant and accordingly, management has excluded thesethem 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

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018
restated
   2017
restated
 

Restructuring

   (385   (468   (323   (170   (363   (447

Acquisition costs business combinations

   (74   (155   (448   (23   (73   (123

Business and asset disposal (including impairment losses)

   (26   (39   377    (50   (26   (39

Brazil State tax regularization program

   (74   —      —   

Cost related to public offering of minority stake in Budweiser APAC

   (6   —      —   

Provision for EU investigation

   (230   —      —      —      (230   —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Impact on profit from operations

   (715   (662   (394   (323   (692   (609

The exceptional restructuring charges for 20182019 total (385)(170)m US dollar (2017: (468)(2018: (363)m US dollar; 2016: (323)2017: (447)m US dollar). These charges primarily relate to the SAB integration.organizational alignments. These changes aim to eliminate overlapoverlapping organizations or duplicated processes, taking into account the right matchmatching 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 toand bring a stronger focus onto AB InBev’s core activities, quickerdecision-making and improvements to efficiency, service and quality.

AcquisitionThe acquisition costs of business combinations amount to (74)(23)m US dollar in 2018,2019, 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)(2018: (73)m US dollar in 2017 and (448)dollar; 2017: (123)m US dollar in 2016, primarily related to cost incurred to facilitate the combination with SAB.dollar).

Business and asset disposals amount to (50)m US dollar in 2019, mainly comprising of costs incurred in relation to the announced divestiture of the Australia business. Business and asset disposals amounted to (26)m US dollar in 2018, and mainly result fromrelated to the costs incurred related to the IFRS treatment of the 50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes’ Russia and Ukraine businesses and the related transaction costcosts (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 2019, Ambev made a payment of (74)m US dollar to the State of Mato Grosso in a net gain of 377mrelation to the Special Value-added Tax (ICMS) Amnesty Program in Brazil in accordance with the Brazilian State Tax Regularization Program.

The company incurred 117m US dollar in 2016, mainlyfees related to the initial public offering of a minority stake of Budweiser APAC, its Asia Pacific subsidiary, of which 6m US dollar were reported in the income statement and 111m US dollar were capitalized in equity. In addition, the company has also reported 58m US dollar stamp duties in equity that are directly attributable to the proceeds from the salepublic offering of the company’s brewery plant located in Obregón, Sonora, México to Constellation Brands, Inc.Budweiser APAC.

In 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. In connection with these ongoing proceedings, AB InBev recognized a provision of 230m US dollarwas recognized in 2018.2018 and settled in 2019. Refer also to Note 27Provisions.

The company incurred exceptional net finance costincome of 882m US dollar for 2019 (2018: (1 982)m US dollar for 2018 (2017:cost; 2017: (693)m US dollar cost; 2016: (3 356)m US dollar cost) – see Note 11Finance cost and income.

All the amounts referenced above amounts are before income taxes. The exceptional items as of 31 December 20182019 increased income taxes by 6m US dollar, decreased income taxes by 240m US dollar decreased income taxes by 830m US dollar in 20172018 and decreased income taxes by 77m814m US dollar in 2016.2017. The 2017 decrease of income 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 32m108m US dollar in 2018 (2017:2019 (2018: 32m US dollar; 2017: 526m US dollar; 2016: 13m US dollar).

9.

Payroll and related benefits

 

                                                

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018
restated
   2017
restated
 

Wages and salaries

   (4 726   (4 884   (4 404   (4 563   (4 638   (4 752

Social security contributions

   (698   (699   (647   (683   (694   (688

Other personnel cost

   (708   (762   (580   (678   (708   (759

Pension expense for defined benefit plans

   (193   (196   (194   (193   (192   (196

Share-based payment expense

   (353   (359   (228   (340   (353   (348

Contributions to defined contribution plans

   (116   (118   (77   (101   (109   (107
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Payroll and related benefits

   (6 794   (7 018   (6 130   (6 558   (6 694   (6 850

The number of full time equivalents can be split as follows:

 

   2018   2017   2016 

AB InBev NV (parent company)

   180    215    225 

Other subsidiaries

   172 423    182 700    206 408 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total number of FTE

   172 603    182 915    206 633 

The 2018 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 is mainly due to the full year reporting of the retained operations following the combination with SAB, whereas the reduction in FTEs mainly results from the disposals completed during the year.

   2019   2018   2017 

AB InBev NV (parent company)

   204    180    215 

Other subsidiaries

   171 711    172 596    182 700 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total number of FTE

   171 915    172 776    182 915 

 

10.

Additional information on operating expenses by nature

Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges are included in the following line items of the 20182019 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
   Depreciation and
impairment of
right-of-use asset
   Impairment of
goodwill
 

Cost of sales

   2 841    67    —      2 751    86    11    —   

Distribution expenses

   186    3    —      155    4    191    —   

Sales and marketing expenses

   420    165    —      379    247    160    —   

Administrative expenses

   309    260    —      277    290    98    —   

Other operating expenses

   8    —      —      8    —      —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   3 764    496    —      3 570    627    460    —   

Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges are included in the following line items of the 2018 restated consolidated income statement:

Million US dollar (restated)

  Depreciation and
impairment of
property, plant
and equipment
   Amortization and
impairment of
intangible assets
   Depreciation and
impairment of
right-of-use asset
   Impairment of
goodwill
 

Cost of sales

   2 807    67    —      —   

Distribution expenses

   166    3    186    —   

Sales and marketing expenses

   414    165    153    —   

Administrative expenses

   285    254    116    —   

Other operating expenses

   8    —      —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   3 680    489    455    —   

Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges are included in the following line items of the 2017 restated consolidated income statement:

Million US dollar

  Depreciation and
impairment of property,
plant and equipment
   Amortization and
impairment of intangible
assets
   Impairment of goodwill 

Cost of sales

   2 817    40    —   

Distribution expenses

   199    4    —   

Sales and marketing expenses

   425    196    —   

Administrative expenses

   337    248    —   

Other operating expenses

   4    —      6 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   3 782    488    6 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges are included in the following line items of the 2016 consolidated income statement:

Million US dollar

  Depreciation and
impairment of property,
plant and equipment
   Amortization and
impairment of intangible
assets
   Impairment of goodwill 

Cost of sales

   2 292    21    —   

Distribution expenses

   143    1    —   

Sales and marketing expenses

   363    208    —   

Administrative expenses

   222    218    —   

Other operating expenses

   2    1    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   3 025    452   —   

Million US dollar (restated)

  Depreciation and
impairment of
property, plant
and equipment
   Amortization and
impairment of
intangible assets
   Depreciation and
impairment of
right-of-use asset
   Impairment of
goodwill
 

Cost of sales

   2 791    40    —      —   

Distribution expenses

   197    4    171    —   

Sales and marketing expenses

   416    196    137    —   

Administrative expenses

   335    245    83    —   

Other operating expenses

   4    —      —      —   

Exceptional items

   —      —      —      6 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   3 743    485    391    6 

The depreciation, amortization and impairment of property, plant and equipment included a full-cost reallocation of 2m5m US dollar in 20182019 from the aggregate depreciation, amortization and impairment expense to cost of goods sold (2017:(2018: 1m US dollar; 2016: 9m US dollar)2017: nil).

The 2017 increase in depreciation, amortization and impairment charges is mainly due to the business combination with SAB.

11.

Finance cost and income

The finance costs included in the income statement are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018
restated
   2017
restated
 

Interest expense

   (4 141   (4 314   (4 092   (4 168   (4 141   (4 314

Capitalization of borrowing costs

   23    22    12    19    23    22 

Net interest on net defined benefit liabilities

   (94   (101   (113   (95   (94   (102

Accretion expense

   (400   (614   (648   (650   (511   (736

Net foreign exchange losses (net of the effect of foreign exchange derivative instruments)

   —      (304   (21

Net losses on hedging instruments that are not part of a hedge accounting relationship

   (2 222   (674   (797   (393   (449   (382

Net foreign exchange results (net of the effect of foreign exchange derivative instruments)

   (180   19    (306

Tax on financial transactions

   (110   (68   (70   (79   (110   (68

Netmark-to-market results on derivatives related to the hedging of share-based payment

   898    (1 774   (291

Other financial costs, including bank fees

   (242   (139   (131   (225   (242   (136
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (7 186   (6 192   (5 860   (4 873   (7 279   (6 313

Exceptional finance cost

   (1 982   (693   (3 522   (222   (1 982   (693
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Finance costs

   (9 168   (6 885   (9 382   (5 095   (9 261   (7 006

Finance income included in the income statement is as follows:

Million US dollar

  2019   2018
restated
   2017
restated
 

Interest income

   410    333    289 

Hyperinflation monetary adjustments

   86    46    —   

Other financial income

   21    56    91 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   518   435   380 

Exceptional finance income

   1 104    —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance income

   1 622    435    380 

Finance costs, excluding exceptional items, increaseddecreased by 994m2 406m US dollar compared to 20172018 mainly as a result of Mark-to-market lossesmark-to-market on certain derivatives related to the hedging of share-based payment programs amountingprograms. In 2019, themark-to-market on such derivatives amounted to a gain of 898m US dollar (2018: 1 774m US dollar in 2018 (2017:loss; 2017: 291m US dollar loss; 2016: 384 US dollar loss).

Borrowing costs capitalized relate to the capitalization of interest expenses directly attributable to the acquisition and construction of qualifying assets mainly in China and Nigeria.South Africa. Interest is capitalized at a borrowing rate ranging from 4%3% to 8%4%.

Exceptional net finance cost for 2018 includes:

873m US dollar resulting from mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments entered into to hedge the shares issued in relation to the combination with Grupo Modelo (31 December 2017: 146m US dollar; 31 December 2016: 304m US dollar). See also Note 23Changes in equity and earnings per share;

849mIn 2019, accretion expense includes interest on lease liabilities of 124m 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(2018: 111m 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: 261m123m US dollar).

Exceptional net finance cost for 2017 also includes:

44m US dollar 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 certain notes (31 December 2016: 306m US dollar). See also Note 24Interest-bearing loans and 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 expenseexpenses 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 included in the income statement is as follows:Exceptional finance cost for 2019 includes:

 

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 

188m US dollarwrite-off on the company’s investment in Delta Corporation Ltd following the entry of Zimbabwe in a hyperinflation economy;

34m US dollar of interest paid to the State of Mato Grosso in relation to the Special Value-added Tax (ICMS) Amnesty Program in Brazil in accordance with the Brazilian State Tax Regularization Program (2018: nil; 2017: 44m US dollar).

Exceptional finance income for 2019 includes:

445m US dollar resulting frommark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments entered into to hedge the shares issued in relation to the combination with Grupo Modelo (2018: 873m US dollar loss; 2017: 146m US dollar). See also Note 23Changes in equity and earnings per share;

433m US dollar resulting frommark-to-market adjustments on derivatives entered into to hedge the restricted shares issued in connection with the combination with SAB (2018: 849m US dollar loss; 2017: 142m US dollar loss);

226m US dollar gains resulting from the early termination of certain bonds, income related to the reduction of deferred considerations on acquisitions and foreign exchange translation gains on intragroup loans that were historically reported in equity and were recycled to profit and loss account upon the reimbursement of these loans (2018: 260m US dollar loss; 2017: 261m US dollar loss).

Exceptional net finance cost for 2017 also includes 100m US dollar related to accelerated accretion expenses associated to the repayment of the 2015 senior facilities agreement and the early redemption of certain notes. See also Note 24Interest-bearing loans and borrowings.

No interest income was recognized on impaired financial assets.

The interest income stems from the following financial assets:

 

                              

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Cash and cash equivalents

   256    207    479    237    256    207 

Investment debt securities held for trading

   22    16    16    9    22    16 

Other loans and receivables

   55    64    66    164    55    64 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   333    287    561    410    333    287 

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 instrumentsinstruments..

12.

12.

Income taxes

Income taxes recognized in the income statement can be detailed as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018
restated
   2017
restated
 

Current year

   (2 819   (3 833   (1 544   (2 863   (2 704   (3 698

(Underprovided)/overprovided in prior years

   101    1    47    58    101    1 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Current tax expense

   (2 718   (3 832   (1 497   (2 805   (2 603   (3 697

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

   (287   1 872    (459   (21   (148   2 000 

(Utilization)/recognition of deferred tax assets on tax losses

   120    23    116    13    120    23 

Recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses

   46    16    227    27    46    16 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Deferred tax (expense)/income

   (121   1 912    (116   19    18    2 039 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total income tax expense

   (2 839   (1 920   (1 613   (2 786   (2 585   (1 658

The reconciliation of the effective tax rate with the aggregated weighted nominal tax rate can be summarized as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2018  2017  2016 

Profit before tax

   8 530   11 076   4 334 

Deduct share of result of associates and joint ventures

   153   430   16 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Profit before tax and before share of result of associates and joint ventures

   8 377   10 646   4 318 

Adjustments on taxable basis

    

Foreign source income

   —     —     (809

Government incentives

   (742  (982  (769

Non-deductible marked to market on derivatives

   3 496   579   3 508 

Taxable intercompany dividends

   —     —     619 

Other expenses not deductible for tax purposes

   1 796   1 795   843 

Other non-taxable income

   (158  (178  (415
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   12 769   11 860   7 296 

Aggregated weighted nominal tax rate

   26.8  28.5  32.7

Tax at aggregated weighted nominal tax rate

   (3 426  (3 378  (2 387

Adjustments on tax expense

    

Utilization of tax losses not previously recognized

   120   23   76 

Recognition of deferred taxes assets on previous years’ tax losses

   46   16   229 

Write-down of deferred tax assets on tax losses and current year losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognized

   (125  (143  (975

(Underprovided)/overprovided in prior years

   65   1   63 

Deductions from interest on equity

   471   553   644 

Deductions from goodwill

   17   57   63 

Other tax deductions

   436   723   869 

US Tax reform (change in tax rate and other)

   116   1 760   —   

Change in tax rate (other)

   144   (59  (1

Withholding taxes

   (403  (386  (286

Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program

   —     (870  —   

Other tax adjustments

   (300  (217  93 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   (2 839  (1 920  (1 613

Effective tax rate

   33.9  18.0  37.4

Million US dollar

  2019  2018
restated
  2017
restated
 

Profit before tax

   12 776   7 741   10 264 

Deduct share of result of associates and joint ventures

   152   153   430 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Profit before tax and before share of result of associates and joint ventures

   12 624   7 588   9 834 

Adjustments on taxable basis

    

Government incentives

   (709  (742  (982

Non-deductible/(non-taxable) marked to market on derivatives

   (1 776  3 496   579 

Other expenses not deductible for tax purposes

   1 223   1 796   1 795 

Othernon-taxable income

   (282  (158  (178
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   11 080   11 980   11 048 

Aggregated weighted nominal tax rate

   26.2  26.5  28.2

Tax at aggregated weighted nominal tax rate

   (2 901  (3 172  (3 116

Adjustments on tax expense

    

Utilization of tax losses not previously recognized

   13   120   23 

Recognition of deferred taxes assets on previous years’ tax losses

   27   46   16 

Write-down of deferred tax assets on tax losses and current year

losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognized

   (137  (125  (143

(Underprovided)/overprovided in prior years

   58   101   1 

Deductions from interest on equity

   666   471   553 

Deductions from goodwill

   20   17   57 

Other tax deductions

   259   400   723 

US Tax reform (change in tax rate and other)

   —     116   1 760 

Change in tax rate

   (95  144   (59

Withholding taxes

   (505  (403  (386

Brazilian Federal Tax Amnesty Program

   —     —     (870

Other tax adjustments

   (191  (300  (217
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   (2 786  (2 585  (1 658

Effective tax rate

   22.1  34.1  16.9

The total income tax expense for 20182019 amounts to 2 839m786m US dollar compared to 1 920m2 585m US dollar for 2017.2018. The effective tax rate increaseddecreased from 18.0%34.1% for 20172018 to 33.9%22.1% for 2018.2019.

The 20182019 effective tax rate was negativelypositively impacted by lossesnon-taxable gains from certain derivatives related to the 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 changesSAB. The 2018 effective tax rate was negatively impacted bynon-deductible losses from these derivatives.

During 2018, the company finalized there-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 tax legislationan adjustment of 116m US dollar in some countries resulting in additional non-deductible expenses in 2018.2018 to the reported current and deferred taxes.

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 there-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 liabilityre-measurement resulting from the US Tax reform at the time, and was recognized as aan 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 SAB that could not qualify for hedge accounting.

The company benefits from tax exempted income and tax credits which are expected to continue in the future. The company 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

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   22    (39   54    19    22    (39

Cash flow and net investment hedges

   108    (95   (258   88    108    (95
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income tax (losses)/gains

   130    (134   (204   107    130    (134

13.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment comprises owned and leased assets, as follows:

   31 December 2018  31 December
2017
 

Million US dollar

  Land and
buildings
  Plant and
equipment,
fixtures and
fittings
  Under
construction
  Total  Total 

Acquisition cost

      

Balance at end of previous year

   12 742   33 717   2 265   48 724   44 352 

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (722  (2 225  (150  (3 097  1 431 

Acquisitions

   119   1 320   2 926   4 365   4 221 

Acquisitions through business combinations

   —     2   —     2   169 

Disposals

   (143  (1 333  (3  (1 479  (1 566

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   (265  (834  (29  (1 128  (60

Transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements1

   724   3 028   (2 735  1 017   177 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at end of the period

   12 455   33 675   2 274   48 404   48 724 

Depreciation and impairment losses

      

Balance at end of previous year

   (3 514  (18 026  —     (21 540  (18 133

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   177   1 219   —     1 396   (697

Depreciation

   (513  (3 069  —     (3 582  (3 567

Disposals

   59   1 204   —     1 263   1 161 

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   177   641   —     818   48 

Impairment losses

   (10  (85  —     (95  (85

Transfer to/(from) other asset categories and other movements1

   64   (818  —     (754  (267
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at end of the period

   (3 560  (18 934  —     (22 494  (21 540

Carrying amount

      

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   —   

Million US dollar

31 December
2019
31 December
2018 restated

Property, plant and equipment owned

25 51525 638

Property, plant and equipment leased(right-of-use assets)

2 0291 977

Total property, plant and equipment

27 54427 615

   31 December 2019  31 December
2018 restated1
 

Million US dollar

  Land and
buildings
  Plant and
equipment,
fixtures and
fittings
  Under
construction
  Total  Total 

Acquisition cost

      

Balance at end of previous year

   12 155   33 540   2 274   47 969   48 297 

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (94  (374  (17  (485  (3 086

Acquisitions

   48   1 236   3 167   4 451   4 342 

Acquisitions through business combinations

   —     22   2   24   2 

Disposals

   (208  (1 777  (2  (1 987  (1 474

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   (1  (3  —     (4  (1 128

Transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements2

   316   1 737  ��(3 264  (1 211  1 014 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at end of the period

   12 216   34 381   2 160   48 757   47 969 

Depreciation and impairment losses

      

Balance at end of previous year

   (3 450  (18 881  —     (22 331  (21 414

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   40   270   —     310   1 392 

Depreciation

   (409  (2 961  —     (3 370  (3 530

Disposals

   119   1 615   —     1 734   1 249 

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   1   2   —     3   818 

Impairment losses

   (1  (86  —     (87  (91

Transfer to/(from) other asset categories and other movements1

   96   403   —     499   (755
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at end of the period

   (3 604  (19 638  —     (23 242  (22 331

Carrying amount

      

at 31 December 2018

   8 704   14 659   2 274   25 638   25 638 

at 31 December 2019

   8 612   14 743   2 160   25 515   —   

As a result of the agreement to divest CUB to Asahi, the company reclassified 625m US dollar in property, plant and equipment to assets held for sale as at 31 December 2019 – see Note 22Assets classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations.

As at 31 December 2019, the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment subject to restrictions on title amounted to 4m US dollar (31 December 2018: 8m US dollar).

Contractual commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment amounted to 457m US dollar as at 31 December 2019 compared to 416m US dollar as at 31 December 2018.

 

 

1

The 2018 balances have been restated to reflect the impact of adoption of IFRS 16 under the full retrospective application. As required by IFRS 5, the Australia property, plant and equipment balances for the Australia operations were reclassified to assets held for sale as at 31 December 2019 without restatement of 2018 balances.

2 

The transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements relates 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 ofnon-monetary assets under hyperinflation accounting in line with IAS 29Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies. Accordingly, the 2019 transfers include the balances of Australian operations reclassified to assets held for sale as at 31 December 2019.

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 649m854m US dollar in 20182019 and 4 124m568m US dollar in 2017.2018. Out of the total 20182019 capital expenditures approximately 48%42% was used to improve the company’s production facilities while 42%43% was used for logistics and commercial investments and 10% was used15% for improving administrative capabilities and for the purchase of hardware and software.

LEASED ASSETSProperty, plant and equipment leased by the company(right-of-use assets) is detailed as follows:

   2019 

Million US dollar

  Land and
buildings
   Machinery,
equipment
and other
   Total 

Net carrying amount at 31 December

   1 723    306    2 029 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation for the period

   (329   (160   (489

   2018 restated 

Million US dollar

  Land and
buildings
   Machinery,
equipment
and other
   Total 

Net carrying amount at 31 December

   1 624    353    1 977 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation for the period

   (318   (150   (468

As a result of the agreement to divest CUB to Asahi, the company reclassified 84m US dollarright-of-use assets to assets held for sale – see Note 22Assets classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations.

Following the sale of Dutch and Belgian pub real estate to Cofinimmo in October 2007, AB InBev entered into lease agreements with a term of 27 years. These lease agreements will mature in November 2034. Furthermore, the company leases a number of warehouses, trucks, factory facilities and other commercial buildings, which typically run for a period of five to ten years. Lease payments are increased annually to reflect market rentals, if applicable. None of the leases include contingent rentals.

Additions toright-of-use assets during 2019 were 420m US dollar (2018: 215m US dollar). The expense related to short-term andlow-value leases and variable lease payments that are not included in the measurement of the lease liabilities is not significant. In 2019, AB InBev recognizedright-of-use assets on acquisitions of subsidiaries of 12m US dollar (2018: nil) – see also note 6Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries.

The company leases landout pub real estate for an average outstanding period of 6 to 8 years and buildings as well as equipmentpart of its own property 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).operating leases.

 

14.

Goodwill

 

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017   31 December 2019   31 December 2018 

Acquisition cost

        

Balance at end of previous year

   140 980    135 897    133 316    140 980 

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (7 541   4 684    53    (7 541

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   (652   —      (22   (652

Acquisitions through business combinations

   107    398    682    107 

Hyperinflation monetary adjustments

   435    —      171    435 

Reclassified as held for sale

   (13   —      (6 081   (13
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at end of the period

   133 316    140 980    128 119    133 316 

Impairment losses

        

Balance at end of previous year

   (40   (34   (5   (40

Impairment losses

   —      (6   —      —   

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   35    —      —      35 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at end of the period

   (5   (40   (5   (5

Carrying amount

        

at 31 December 2017

   140 940    140 940 

at 31 December 2018

   133 311    —      133 311    133 311 

at 31 December 2019

   128 114   

As a result of the agreement to divest CUB to Asahi, the company reclassified 6 081m US dollar goodwill to assets held for sale – see Note 22Assets classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations.

In 2019, AB InBev recognized goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries of 682m US dollar (2018: 107m US dollar) – see also Note 6Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries.

Effective 1st of January 2019 AB InBev adopted a new organizational structure resulting in a change in cash-generating units. Furthermore, following the closing in 2019 of a new bottling agreement with the Coca-Cola Group in Honduras and El Salvador and changes in the operating model of the soft drinks business acquired through the SAB combination, the companyre-allocated 3.0 Bio US dollar goodwill to the Rest of Middle Americas CGU and reduced the amount of goodwill previously allocated to the South Africa and Rest of Africa CGUs by 2.2 billion US dollar and 0.8 billion US dollar, respectively.

On 30 March 2018, AB InBev completed the 50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes’ existing Russia and Ukraine businesses. Following this merger, the company derecognized its Russian and Ukrainian net assets including goodwill (see also Note 6Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries).

The carrying amount of goodwill was allocated to the different cash-generating units as follows:

 

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 

Million US dollar

Cash-generating unit

201920181

United States

33 45133 288

Rest of North America

1 9841 891

Mexico

13 17512 614

Colombia

18 64718 796

Rest of Middle Americas

25 25721 969

Brazil

4 5394 715

Rest of South America

1 1011 139

Europe

2 2772 222

South Africa

13 50015 910

Rest of Africa

6 6917 701

China

3 0952 758

Rest of Asia Pacific2

4 39710 308

Total carrying amount of goodwill

128 114133 311

A significant portion of the goodwill was recorded in connection with the 2016 combination with SAB.

AB InBev completed its annual impairment test for goodwill 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 reported. Goodwill impairment testing relies on a number of critical judgments, estimates and assumptions. 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. If the company’s current assumptions and estimates, including projected revenues growth rates, competitive and consumer trends, weighted average cost of capital, terminal growth rates, and other market factors, are not met, or if valuation factors outside of the company’s control change unfavorably, the estimated fair value of goodwill could be adversely affected, leading to a potential impairment in the future.

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, Colombia, Rest of Middle Americas and South Africa Peru and Mexico, countriescash-generating units that show the highest goodwill.invested capital to EBITDA multiple. 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 cash-generating unit’s carrying amount to exceed its recoverable amount.

Goodwill, impairment testing relies on a number of critical judgments, estimates and assumptions. Goodwill, which accounted for approximately 57%54% of AB InBev’sInBev total assets as at 31 December 2018,2019, is tested for impairment at the cash-generating unit level (that is one level below the operating segments). The cash-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 cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination whenever a business combination occurs.

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 cash-generating units and the cash-generating units showing a highan invested capital to EBITDA multiple above 9x and valuation multiples for itsthe other cash-generating units.

The key judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the discounted free cash flow calculations are generally as follows:

 

In the first 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 cash-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;

 

1

The 2018 presentation has been restated following the change in cash-generating units effective as of 1 January 2019.

2

The balance attributable to the Rest of Asia Pacific CGU as at 31 December 2018 includes the Australia operations’ goodwill reclassified to assets held for sale as at 31 December 2019.

For the subsequent seven years of the model, data from the strategic plan is extrapolated generally using simplified assumptions such as macro-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 GDP growth rates, based on external sources, in order to calculate the terminal value, considering sensitivities on this metric;

 

Projections are discounted at the unit’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC), considering sensitivities on this 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%3% and 4%5%.

TheFor the cash generating units subject to a discounted free cash flow approach, 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

Cash-generating unit

  2019  2018 

Colombia

   6  7

Rest of Middle Americas

   9  9

South Africa

   7  8

Rest of Africa

   10  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).

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

 

  31 December 2018 31 December
2017
   31 December 2019 31 December
20181
 

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

   43 402   2 904   2 177   388   48 871   47 191    42 133   2 949   2 692   691   48 465   48 871 

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (1 482 (105 (137 (41 (1 765 1 286    (13 (34 (29 (3 (79 (1 765

Acquisitions through business combinations

   —    22   —    2  24  417    88   —    5  6  99  24 

Acquisitions and expenditures

   2  367  73  226  668  312    —    290  113  228  631  668 

Disposals

   (25 (55  —    (16 (96 (191   —    (120 (136 (3 (259 (96

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   (14  —    (29 (4 (47  —      (29  —     —     —    (29 (47

Transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements1

   250  (184 608  136  810  (144

Transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements2

   (2 105 (311 (51 (253 (2 720 810 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of period

   42 133   2 949   2 692   691   48 465   48 871    40 074   2 774   2 594   666   46 108   48 465 

Amortization and impairment losses

              

Balance at end of previous year

   (32  (1 379  (1 472  (114  (2 997  (2 401   (32  (1 479  (2 002  (121  (3 634  (2 997

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   —    73  84  7  164  (139   —    24  16  1  41  164 

Amortization

   —    (163 (251 (31 (445 (498   —    (239 (322 (61 (622 (445

Disposals

   —    45  (39 8  14  89    —    117  135  2  254  14 

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   —     —    28  2  30   —      —     —     —     —     —    30 

Transfer to/(from) other asset categories and other movements1

   —    (55 (352 7  (400 (48   —    (18 322  1  305  (400
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of period

   (32  (1 479  (2 002  (121  (3 634  (2 997   (32  (1 595  (1 851  (178  (3 656  (3 634

Carrying value

              

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   —      42 101   1 470   690   570   44 831   44 831 

at 31 December 2019

   40 042   1 179   743   488   42 452  

As a result of the agreement to divest CUB to Asahi, the company reclassified 2 727m US dollar intangible assets to assets held for sale – see Note 22Assets classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations.

During 2019, AB InBev recognized intangible assets on acquisitions of subsidiaries of 128m US dollar (2018: 24m US dollar) out of which 29m US dollar relates to acquisitions in Australia subsequently tranferred to assets held for sale – see also Note 6Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries.

On 2 May 2018, AB InBev recovered the Budweiser distribution rights in Argentina from CCU. The transaction involved the transfer of the Isenbeck, Iguana, Diosa, Norte and Baltica brands, along with a cash payment of 306m US dollar and other commitments, to CCU Argentina. The Budweiser distribution rights have been assigned an indefinite 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 ofat 31 December 2018,2019, the carrying amount of the intangible assets amounted to 44 831m42 452m US dollar (31 December 2017: 45 874m2018: 44 831m US dollar) of which 42 435m40 181m US dollar was assigned an indefinite useful life (31 December 2017: 43 595m2018: 42 435m US dollar) and 2 396m271m US dollar a finite life (31 December 2017:2018: 2 279m396m US dollar).

The carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives was allocated to the different countries as follows:

Million US dollar

Country

  2018   2017 

United States

   22 037    21 960 

Colombia

   3 516    3 820 

South Africa

   3 325    3 899 

Mexico

   3 068    3 058 

Peru

   2 720    2 825 

Australia

   2 422    2 773 

South Korea

   1 013    1 058 

Ecuador

   595    595 

China

   381    403 

Dominican Republic

   339    353 

Rest of Africa

   1 274    1 353 

Other countries

   1 745    1 498 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives

   42 435    43 595 

 

1

As required by IFRS 5, the intangible assets balances of the Australia operations were reclassified to assets held for sale as at 31 December 2019 without restatement of the 2018 balances.

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, to the separate presentation in the balance sheet of property, plant and equipmentintangible assets held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operationsand to the restatement ofnon-monetary assets under hyperinflation accounting in line with IAS 29Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies. Accordingly, the 2019 transfers include the balances of Australian operations reclassified to assets held for sale as at 31 December 2019.

The carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives was allocated to the cash-generating units as follows:

Million US dollar

Country

  2019   2018 

United States

   22 124    22 037 

Rest of North America

   66    63 

Mexico

   3 243    3 068 

Colombia

   3 488    3 516 

Rest of Middle Americas

   3 915    3 915 

Brazil

   3    1 

Rest of South America

   714    741 

Europe

   489    535 

South Africa

   3 417    3 338 

Rest of Africa

   1 228    1 261 

China

   410    381 

Rest of Asia Pacific

   1 120    3 579 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives

   40 217    42 435 

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 reasonably possible change in a key assumption used that would cause a cash-generating unit’s carrying amount to exceed its recoverable amount.

 

16.

Investments in associates

A reconciliation of the summarized financial information to the carrying amount of the company’s interests in material associates is as follows:

 

  2018 2017   2019 2018 

Million US dollar

  AB InBev Efes   Castel Efes Castel Efes   AB InBev Efes Castel Efes AB InBev Efes   Castel Efes 

Balance at 1 January

   —      3 480  694  2 793  750    1 159  3 279  479   —      3 480  694 

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   —      (213 (194 356  (54   —    (56 (59  —      (213 (194

Acquisitions

   1 157    —     —     —     —      —     —     —    1 157    —     —   

Dividends received

   —      (98 (11 (23  —      (15 (95 (11  —      (98 (11

Share of results of associates

   2    110  (10 354  (2   (11 111  42  2    110  (10
  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of period

   1 159    3 279   479   3 480   694    1 133   3 239   451   1 159    3 279   479 

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:

 

  2018 2017   2019 2018 

Million US dollar

  AB InBev Efes   Castel Efes Castel Efes   AB InBev Efes   Castel Efes AB InBev Efes   Castel Efes 

Current assets

   275    4 193  2 888  4 894  2 415    377    4 044  2 266  275    4 193  2 888 

Non-current assets

   664    4 291  6 463  3 912  5 243    767    4 255  5 618  664    4 291  6 463 

Current liabilities

   556    1 643  2 233  1 724  1 106    652    1 631  1 859  556    1 643  2 233 

Non-current liabilities

   —      635  2 207  857  2 494    109    743  1 986   —      635  2 207 

Non-controlling interests

   —      939  2 297  879  1 520    —      723  1 909   —      939  2 297 
  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net assets

   383    5 267   2 614   5 346   2 538    383    5 201   2 130   383    5 267   2 614 

Revenue

   1 081    5 786  3 816  5 447  3 415    1 388    5 107  4 015  1 081    5 786  3 816 

Profit (loss)

   4    921  (43 746  (7   23    719  276  4    921  (43

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   —      (254 1 536  (94 553    —      (372 (431  —      (254 1 536 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   4    667  1 493  652  546    23    347  (155 4    667  1 493 

In 2018,2019, associates that are not individually material contributed to 51m10m US dollar to the results of investment in associates (2017:(2018: 51m US dollar; 2017: 78m US dollar).

Following the entry of Zimbabwe in a hyperinflation economy in 2019, the company recorded an impairment of 188m US dollar on its investment in Delta Corporation Ltd. The impairment is recorded as an exceptional net finance cost. Refer to Note 11Finance cost and income.

Additional information related to the significant associates is presented in Note 3637AB InBev Companies.

 

17.

Investment securities

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2019   2018 

Investment in unquoted companies

   84    76    86    84 

Investment on debt securities

   24    24    25    24 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Non-current investments

   108    100    111    108 

Investment on debt securities

   87    1 304    91    87 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Current investments

   87    1 304    91    87 

As of 31 December 2018,2019, current debt securities of 87m91m US dollar mainly represented investments in government bonds.bonds (31 December 2018: 87m US dollar). The company’s investments in such short-term debt securities are primarily to facilitate liquidity and for capital preservation.

18.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

The amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities by type of temporary difference can be detailed as follows:

 

  2018   2019 

Million US dollar

  Assets �� Liabilities   Net   Assets   Liabilities   Net 

Property, plant and equipment

   381    (2 665   (2 284   415    (2 550   (2 135

Intangible assets

   115    (10 665   (10 550   112    (10 327   (10 215

Inventories

   101    (67   34    119    (67   52 

Trade and other receivables

   142    (62   80    52    (1   51 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   475    (618   (143   706    (603   103 

Employee benefits

   673    (5   668    631    (3   628 

Provisions

   483    (27   456    467    (22   445 

Derivatives

   33    (58   (25   23    (21   2 

Other items

   215    (736   (521   311    (861   (550

Loss carry forwards

   577    —      577    515    —      515 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   3 195    (14 903   (11 708   3 350    (14 455   (11 105

Netting by taxable entity

   (1 738   1 738    —      (1 631   1 631    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   1 457    (13 165   (11 708   1 719    (12 824   (11 105

   2017 

Million US dollar

  Assets   Liabilities   Net 

Property, plant and equipment

   324    (2 586   (2 262

Intangible assets

   113    (11 387   (11 274

Inventories

   114    (63   51 

Trade and other receivables

   148    (62   86 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   431    (646   (215

Employee benefits

   663    (10   653 

Provisions

   562    (17   545 

Derivatives

   40    (49   (9

Other items

   200    (796   (596

Loss carry forwards

   1 130    —      1 130 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   3 725    (15 616   (11 891

Netting by taxable entity

   (2 509   2 509    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   1 216    (13 107   (11 891
   2018 restated 

Million US dollar

  Assets   Liabilities   Net 

Property, plant and equipment

   381    (2 665   (2 284

Intangible assets

   115    (10 665   (10 550

Inventories

   101    (67   34 

Trade and other receivables

   142    (62   80 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   535    (618   (83

Employee benefits

   673    (5   668 

Provisions

   483    (27   456 

Derivatives

   33    (58   (25

Other items

   215    (736   (521

Loss carry forwards

   577    —      577 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   3 255    (14 903   (11 648
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Netting by taxable entity

   (1 738   1 738    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   1 517    (13 165   (11 648

The change in net deferred taxes recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position can be detailed as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018
restated
   2017
restated
 

Balance at 1 January

   (11 891   (13 442   (10 780   (11 648   (11 857   (13 442

Recognized in profit or loss

   121    1 912    (116   19    95    1 929 

Recognized in other comprehensive income

   (130   (134   (204   109    (130   (134

Acquisitions through business combinations

   (23   (74   (5 623   (18   (23   (74

Reclassified as held for sale

   —      —      1 455    363    —      —   

Other movements and effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

   215    (153   (149   70    267    (136
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at 31 December

   (11 708   (11 891   (13 442   (11 105   (11 648   (11 857

Following the US Tax reform enacted on 22 December 2017 whereby the US Federal tax rate was reduced from 35% to 21%, the company adjusted 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. 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.

Tax losses carried forward and deductible temporary differences on which no deferred tax asset is recognized amount to 4 734m US dollar (2018: 5 280m US dollar (2017:dollar; 2017: 4 449m US dollar; 2016: 4 499m US dollar). 1 954m728m US dollar of these tax losses and deductible temporary differences do not have an expiration date, 136m22m US dollar, 153m737m US dollar and 725m218m US dollar expire within respectively 1, 2 and 3 years, while 2 311m3 029m US dollar have an expiration date of more than 3 years. Deferred tax assets have not been recognized on these items 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

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2019   2018 

Prepayments

   123    101    105    123

Raw materials and consumables

   2 387    2 304    2 478    2 387 

Work in progress

   363    387    405    363 

Finished goods

   1 215    1 216    1 257    1 215 

Goods purchased for resale

   146    111    182    146 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Inventories

   4 234    4 119    4 427    4 234 

Inventories other than work in progress

        

Inventories stated at net realizable value

   59    57    171    59 

The cost of inventories recognized as an expense in 20182019 amounts to 20 359m362m US dollar, included in cost of sales (2017: 21 386m(2018: 19 933m US dollar; 2016: 17 803m2017: 20 975m US dollar).

Impairment losses on inventories recognized in 20182019 amount to 72m59m US dollar (2017:(2018: 72m US dollar; 2016: 70m2017: 72m US dollar).

20.

Trade and other receivables

NON-CURRENT TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2019   2018 

Cash deposits for guarantees

   197    209    219    197 

Loans to customers

   45    13    58    45 

Deferred collection on disposals

   53    11    —      53 

Tax receivable, other than income tax

   139    68    166    139 

Trade and other receivables

   335    533    363    335 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   769    834   807   769 

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 RECEIVABLES

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2019   2018 

Trade receivables and accrued income

   4 412    4 752    4 046    4 412 

Interest receivable

   19    6    21    19 

Tax receivable, other than income tax

   378    368    821    378 

Loans to customers

   143    166    119    143 

Prepaid expenses

   329    428    563    329 

Other receivables

   1 094    846    616    1 094 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   6 375    6 566   6 187   6 375 

The carrying amount of trade and other receivables is a good approximation of their fair 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 20182019 and 20172018 respectively:

 

   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

   4 412    4 092    239    52    20    9 

Loans to customers

   188    176    4    5    3    —   

Interest receivable

   19    19    —      —      —      —   

Other receivables

   1 094    1 051    13    26    4    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   5 713    5 338    256    83    27    9 
   Net carrying
amount as of
31 December
2019
   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

   4 046    3 690    261    44    44    7 

Loans to customers

   177    172    1    2    2    —   

Interest receivable

   21    21    —      —      —      —   

Other receivables

   616    582    9    16    5    4 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   4 860   4 465   271   62   51   11 

  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   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
   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    4 412    4 092    239    52    20    9 

Loans to customers

   179    179    —      —      —      —      188    176    4    5    3    —   

Interest receivable

   6    6    —      —      —      —      19    19    —      —      —      —   

Other receivables

   846    803    19    6    14    4    1 094    1 051    13    26    4    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   5 783    5 357    284    53    54    35   5 713   5 338   256   83   27   9 

The 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 20182019 amount to 51m US dollar (2018: 43m US dollar (2017: 59m US dollar; 2016: 40m2017: 58m 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

 

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017   31 December 2019   31 December 2018 

Short-term bank deposits

   2 233    3 896    2 236    2 233 

Cash and bank accounts

   4 841    6 576    5 002    4 841 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   7 074    10 472    7 238    7 074 
  

 

   

 

 

Bank overdrafts

   (114   (117   (68   (114
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   6 960    10 355   7 169   6 960 

The cash outstanding peras at 31 December 20182019 includes restricted cash for an amount of 2m78m US dollar (31 December 2017:2018: 2m US dollar). This restricted cash refersrelates to an outstanding consideration payable to former Anheuser-Busch shareholders who didthat have not yet claimclaimed the proceeds from the 2008 combination.combination (2m US dollar) and amounts deposited on a blocked account in respect to the state aid investigation into the Belgian excess profit ruling system (76m US dollar) – see also Note 32Contingencies.

 

22.

Assets classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations

Assets classified as held for saleASSETS CLASSIFIED AS HELD FOR SALE

 

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017   31 December 2019   31 December 2018 

Balance at the end of previous year

   133    16 458    39    133 

Disposals from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —      (15 514

Reclassified to assets held for sale in the period

   35    91    9 692    35 

Disposals

   (128   (26   (59   (128

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (1   132    341    (1

Other movements

   —      (1 008
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at the end of year

   39    133    10 013    39 

Liabilities associated with assets held for saleLIABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

 

Million US dollar

  31 December 20182019   31 December 20172018 

Balance at the end of previous year

  —     2 174—   

Disposals from SAB transaction-related divestituresReclassified to liabilities associated with assets held for sale

1 106   —   (1 166

OtherEffect of movements in foreign exchange

   —  39   (1 008
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at the end of year

   —  1 145 ��   —   

Completion of CCBA disposal

On 4 October 2017,19 July 2019, AB InBev announced the completion of the transition ofagreement to divest CUB, its 54.5% equity stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (“CCBA”)Australian subsidiary, to Asahi for 3.1516.0 billion AUD (11.2 billion1 US dollar after customary adjustments. AB InBev stopped consolidating CCBAbefore any price adjustments) on a cash free, debt free basis. Asahi has committed financing in its consolidated financial statements as of that date.

CCBA,place and 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.

Furthermore, AB InBev completed in 2018 the sale of its carbonated soft drink businesses in Zambia and Botswana to The Coca-Cola Company. AB InBev 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 transactionstransaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including but not limited to regulatory approvals. In El Salvador and Honduras,approvals in Australia. The transaction is expected to close by the first half of 2020. 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 continue to work towards finalizingmanage these operations until the termstransaction completes.

Consequently, in accordance with IFRS 5Non-current Assets Held for Sale and conditions for The Coca-Cola Company to acquire AB InBev’s interest in the bottling operations in Zimbabwe and Lesotho. These transactions are subject to the relevant regulatory and shareholder approvals in the different jurisdictions. By 31 December 2018, theDiscontinued Operations, assets and liabilities ofassociated with the aboveAustralian operations were not reported ashave been reclassified to assets classified as held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale. Furthermore, the results of the Australian operations are now accounted for as discontinued operations and presented in a separate line in the consolidated income statement (“profit from discontinued operations”). As required by IFRS 5, the 2018 and 2017 consolidated income statements and statements of cash flows have been restated in these consolidated financial statements.

1

Converted into US dollars at the December 2019 closing rate of 1.423803.

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE

Assets and liabilities relating to the Australian operations have been classified as held for sale on the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2019. The relevant assets and liabilities are detailed in the table below:

Million US dollar

31 December 2019

Assets

Property, plant and equipment

625

Goodwill and intangible assets

9 030

Other assets

310

Assets classified as held for sale

9 965

Liabilities

Trade and other payables

659

Deferred tax liabilities

380

Other liabilities

106

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

1 145

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The following table summarizes the results of the Australian operations included in the consolidated income statements and presented as discontinued operations:

For the twelve-month period ended 31 December      2018   2017 

Million US dollar

  2019   restated   restated 

Revenue

   1 394    1 577    1 585 

Profit from operations

   632    775    764 

Profit from discontinued operations

   424    531    532 

The cumulative foreign exchange differences arising from translation of the consolidated net assets of Australian operations to the presentation currency will be recycled upon the disposal of the subsidiary. The cumulative other comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to the Australian operations amounted to (426)m US dollar as of 31 December 2019.

CASH FLOW FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Cash flows attributable to the operating, investing and financing activities of the Australian operations are summarized as follows:

For the twelve-month period ended 31 December      2018   2017 

Million US dollar

  2019   restated   restated 

Cash flow from operating activities

   640    883    858 

Cash flow from investing activities

   (77   (109   (10

Cash flow from financing activities

   (24   (19   (21
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   539    755    827 

 

23.

Changes in equity and earnings per share

STATEMENT OF CAPITAL

The tables below summarize the changes in issued capital and treasury shares during 2018:2019:

 

ISSUED CAPITALIssued capital

  Issued capital 
  Million shares   Million US dollar 

At the end of the previous year

   2 019    1 736 

Changes during the period

   —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2 019   1 736 

Of which:

    

Ordinary shares

   1 693   

Restricted shares

   326   

TREASURY SHARES

  Treasury shares   Result on the use of
treasury shares
Million US dollar
 
  Million shares   Million US dollar 

At the end of the previous year

   85.5    (8 980   (1 452

Changes during the period

   (23.0   2 431    (931
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   62.5    (6 549   (2 383

Treasury shares

  Treasury shares   Result on the use
of treasury shares
 
  Million shares   Million
US dollar
   Million US dollar 

At the end of the previous year

   62.5    (6 549   (2 383

Changes during the period

   (2.7   279    (173
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   59.9    (6 270   (2 556

As at 31 December 2018,2019, the share capital of AB InBev amounts to 1 238 608 344.12 euro (1 736 million US dollar). It is represented by 2 019 241 973 shares without nominal value, of which 62 502 47359 862 847 are held in treasury by AB InBev and its subsidiaries. All shares are ordinary shares, except for 325 999 817 restricted shares. As at 31 December 2018,2019, the total of authorized,un-issued 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 SAB combination. From completion of the SAB combination, such restricted shares will rank equally with the ordinary shares with respect to dividends and voting rights.

The shareholders’ structure is based on the notifications made to the company pursuant to the Belgian Law of 02 May 2007, onwhich governs the disclosure of significant shareholdings in listed companiescompanies. It is included in theCorporate Governance section of AB InBev’s annual report.

CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP INTERESTS

In compliance with IFRS 10, the acquisition or disposal of additional shares in a subsidiary is accounted for as an equity transaction with owners.

During 2018, Ambev increased its investmentOn 30 September 2019, the initial public offering (the “IPO”) of a minority stake in Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“CND”) from 55% to 85%. As the relatedBudweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited, AB InBev’s Asia Pacific subsidiary, was alreadycompleted and Budweiser APAC commenced the listing of its shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In addition, on 3 October 2019, the over-allotment option in connection with the IPO of Budweiser APAC was fully exercised by the international underwriters.

The final number of shares issued in the IPO was 1 669 459 000 shares comprising of 72 586 000 shares issued under the Hong Kong public offering, 1 379 118 000 shares placed under the international offering, and 217 755 000 shares issued under the over-allotment option fully exercised by the international underwriters.

Following the completion of the IPO and after the exercise of the over-allotment option, AB InBev retained an 87.22% controlling interest of the issued share capital of Budweiser APAC. As presented in the consolidated statement of changes in equity, the purchase did not impact AB InBev’s profit, but reducedtransaction resulted in a 4.4 billion US dollar increase in equity and a 1.2 billion US dollar increase innon-controlling interest representing 12.78% of the non-controlling interests by 429mnet assets of Budweiser APAC.

The net proceeds of the offering (after deducting the underwriting commissions and other expenses in connection with the IPO and the issuance of the new shares) amount to 5.6 billion US dollar and increased the profit attributablewere used to equity holdersrepay debt of AB InBev.

REPORTACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS OF OWN SHARES (REPORT ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 6247:220 OF THE BELGIAN COMPANIES CODE OF COMPANIES AND ASSOCIATIONS) AND BORROWINGS OF OWN SHARES– PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES

During 2018,2019, the company has not acquired any treasury shares in accordance with article 7:215 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations (former article 620 of the Belgian Companies Code) and has proceeded with the following sale transactions:disposals of its own shares.

Treasury shares

1 251 602The company has used 2 664 658 treasury shares were granted to executives of the group according to the company’s executive remuneration policy;

1 497 344 shares were sold, asreimburse stock lending arrangements. As a result, of the exercise of options granted to employees of the group;

23 076 922 shares were delivered under deferred share instruments with former Grupo Modelo shareholders.

At the end of the period,as at 31 December 2019, the group owned 62 527 16359 862 847 own shares of which 61 923 07842 158 420 were held directly by AB InBev. The par value of the sharesshare is 0.61 euro. As a consequence, the treasury shares that were soldused to reimburse stock lending arrangements during the year 2018 represent 18 038 0932019 represented 1 826 021 US dollar (15 753 779(1 625 441 euro) of the subscribed capital and the shares that the company still owned at the end of 2018 represent 43 672 1352019 represented 41 022 453 US dollar (38 141 569(36 516 337 euro) of the subscribed capital.

Borrowed shares

In order to fulfill AB InBev’s commitments under various outstanding stock option plans, during the course of 2019, the company had stock lending arrangements in place for up to 32 664 658 shares, of which 31 601 230 shares were used to fulfil stock option plan commitments during 2019. As at 31 December 2019, given the repayment of 2 664 658 shares, the balance of borrowed shares still to be repaid amounted to 30 million. On such date, an amount of 1 063 428 borrowed shares remained available for further use.The company shall pay any dividend equivalent after tax in respect of such borrowed shares. This payment will be reported through equity as dividend.

DIVIDENDS

On 24 October 2019, an interim dividend of 0.80 euro per share or approximately 1 588m euro was approved by the Board of Directors. This interim dividend was paid out on 21 November 2019. On 26 February 2020, in addition to the interim dividend paid on 21 November 2019, a dividend of 1 euro per share or 1 998m euro was proposed by the Board of Directors, reflecting a total dividend payment for the 2019 fiscal year of 1.80 euro per share or 3 586m euro.

On 24 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,24 April 2019, in addition to the interim dividend paid on 29 November 2018, a dividend of 1.00 euro per share or(or 1 957m euro978m euro) was proposed byapproved at the Board of Directors,shareholder’ meeting, reflecting a total dividend payment for the 2018 fiscal year of 1.80 euro per share or(or 3 522m euro.557m euro). The dividend was paid out on 9 May 2019.

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(or 6 956m euro.euro). The dividend was paid out on 3 May 2018.

On 25 October 2016, an interim dividend of 1.60 euro per share or 3 091 euro was approved by the Board of Directors. This interim dividend was paid out on 17 November 2016. On 26 April 2017, in addition to the interim dividend paid on 17 November 2016, a dividend of 2.00 euro or 3 856m euro was approved at the shareholders meeting, reflecting a total dividend payment for 2016 fiscal year of 3.60 euro per share or 6 947m euro. The dividend was paid out on 4 May 2017.

TRANSLATION 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.

HEDGING RESERVES

The hedging reserves comprise the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedges to the extent that the hedged risk has not yet impacted profit or loss.

TRANSFERS 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 2018,2019, the restrictions above mentioned were not deemed significant on the company’s ability to access or use the assets or settle the liabilities of its operating subsidiaries.

Dividends paid to AB InBev by certain of its subsidiaries are also subject to withholding taxes. Withholding tax,taxes, if applicable, generally doesdo not exceed 15%.

DEFERRED 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 23 076 922 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.

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 paid a coupon on each undelivered AB InBev share, so that the Deferred Share Instrument holders were compensated on an after taxafter-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 was classified as an equity instrument, in line with IAS 32, asbecause the number of shares and consideration received are fixed. The coupon to compensate for the dividend equivalent is reported through equity. On 3 May 2018, the company paid a coupon of 2.00 euro per share or approximately(approximately 56m US dollar (2017: 3.60 euro per share or approximately 93m US dollar).

STOCK 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 20 million of its own ordinary shares. As of 31 December 2018, the outstanding balance of loaned securities amounted to 20 million, of which 20 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

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 2018

   (13 705   586    (1 665   (14 784

As per 1 January 2019

   (21 079   494    (1 567   (22 152

Other comprehensive income

                

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   (7 379   —      —      (7 379   1 143    —      —      1 143 

Cash flow hedges

   —      (92   —      (92   —      (97   —      (97

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      98    98    —      —      (173   (173

Total comprehensive income

   (7 379   (92   98    (7 373   1 143    (97   (173   873 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

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

As per 31 December 2019

   (19 936   397    (1 740   (21 279

Million US dollar

  Translation
Reserves
   Hedging
reserves
   Post-employment
benefits
   Total OCI
Reserves
 

As per 1 January 2018

   (13 705   586    (1 665   (14 784

Other comprehensive income

        

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   (7 374   —      —      (7 374

Cash flow hedges

   —      (92   —      (92

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      98    98 

Total comprehensive income

   (7 374   (92   98    (7 368
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As per 31 December 2018

   (21 079   494    (1 567   (22 152

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

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic earnings per share for the year ended 31 December 20182019 is based on the profit attributable to the equity holders of AB InBev of 4 368m9 171m US dollar (31 December 2017: 7 996m2018: 4 370m US dollar; 31 December 2016: 1 241m2017: 7 990m 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

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Issued ordinary and restricted shares at 1 January, net of treasury shares

   1 934    1 934    1 606    1 957    1 934    1 934 

Effect of restricted shares issued upon the SAB combination

   —      —      94 

Effect of shares issued and share buyback programs

   —      —      (20

Effect of stock lending

   18    14    12    25    18    14 

Effect of undelivered shares under the deferred share instrument

   9    23    23    —      9    23 

Effect of delivery of treasury shares

   14    —      —      2    14    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares at 31 December

   1 975    1 971    1 717    1 984    1 975    1 971 

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended 31 December 20182019 is based on the profit attributable to the equity holders of AB InBev of 4 368m9 171m US dollar (31 December 2017: 7 996m2018: 4 370m US dollar; 31 December 2016: 1 241m2017: 7 990m US dollar) and athe weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted) outstanding (including deferred share instruments and stock lending) perat the end of the period, calculated as follows:

 

Million shares

  2018   2017   2016 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares at 31 December

   1 975    1 971    1 717 

Effect of share options, warrants and restricted stock units

   36    39    38 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted) at 31 December

   2 011    2 010    1 755 

Million shares

  2019   2018   2017 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares at 31 December

   1 984    1 975    1 971 

Effect of share options, warrants and restricted stock units

   42    36    39 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted) at 31 December

   2 026    2 011    2 010 

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 the profit before exceptional items and discontinued operations, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev to the profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev is calculated as follows:

 

     2018    2017 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   restated   restated 

Profit before exceptional items and discontinued operations, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   6 793    7 967    4 853    8 086    6 248    7 392 

Exceptional items, before taxes (refer to Note 8)

   (715   (662   (394   (323   (692   (609

Exceptional finance income/(cost), before taxes (refer to Note 8)

   (1 982   (693   (3 356   882    (1 982   (693

Exceptional taxes (refer to Note 8)

   240    830    77    (6   233    814 

Exceptional non-controlling interest (refer to Note 8)

   32    526    13    108    32    526 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —      28    48    424    531    560 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   4 368    7 996    1 241    9 171    4 370    7 990 

The calculation of the Underlying EPS1 is based on the profit before exceptional items, discontinued operations,mark-to-market gains/losses and hyperinflation impacts attributable to equity holders of AB InBev. A reconciliation of the profit before exceptional items, discontinued operations,mark-to-market gains/losses and hyperinflation impacts, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev to the profit before exceptional items and discontinued operations, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev, is calculated as follows:

 

      2018   2017 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   restated   restated 

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

Profit before exceptional items, discontinued operations,mark-to-market gains/losses and hyperinflation impacts, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   7 196    8 099    7 683 

Mark-to-market (losses)/gains on certain derivatives related to the hedging

of share-based payment programs (refer to Note 11)

   898    (1 774   (291

Hyperinflation impacts

   (77   —      —      (7   (77   —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Profit before exceptional items and discontinued operations, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   6 793    7 967    4 853    8 086    6 248    7 392 

The table below sets out the EPS calculation:

 

      2018   2017 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   restated   restated 

Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   4 368    7 996    1 241    9 171    4 370    7 990 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares

   1 975    1 971    1 717    1 984    1 975    1 971 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Basic EPS from continuing and discontinued operations

   2.21    4.06    0.72    4.62    2.21    4.05 

Profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   4 368    7 968    1 193    8 748    3 839    7 430 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares

   1 975    1 971    1 717    1 984    1 975    1 971 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Basic EPS from continuing operations

   2.21    4.04    0.69    4.41    1.94    3.77 

Profit from continuing operations before exceptional items, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   6 793    7 967    4 853 

Profit from continuing operations before exceptional items and discontinued operations, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   8 086    6 248    7 392 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares

   1 975    1 971    1 717    1 984    1 975    1 971 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Basic EPS from continuing operations before exceptional items

   3.44    4.04    2.83    4.08    3.16    3.75 

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 

Profit before exceptional items, discontinued operations,mark-to-market gains/losses and hyperinflation impacts, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   7 196    8 099    7 683 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares

   1 975    1 970    1 717    1 984    1 975    1 971 

Underlying EPS2

   4.38    4.19    3.05 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Underlying EPS

   3.63    4.10    3.90 

Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   4 368    7 996    1 241    9 171    4 370    7 990 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted)

   2 011    2 010    1 755    2 026    2 011    2 010 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted EPS from continuing and discontinued operations

   2.17    3.98    0.71    4.53    2.17    3.98 

Profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   4 368    7 968    1 193    8 748    3 839    7 430 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted)

   2 011    2 010    1 755    2 026    2 011    2 010 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted EPS from continuing operations

   2.17    3.96    0.68    4.32    1.91    3.70 

Profit from continuing operations before exceptional items, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   6 793    7 967    4 853    8 086    6 248    7 392 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted)

   2 011    2 010    1 755    2 026    2 011    2 010 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted EPS from continuing operations before exceptional items

   3.38    3.96    2.77    3.99    3.11    3.68 

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. 63m59m share options were anti-dilutive and not included in the calculation of the dilutive effect as at 31 December 20182019 (31 December 2016 and2018: 63m share options; 31 December 2017: 5m share options)US dollar).

 

1 

See glossary.

2

See glossary.

24.

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 - risk—refer to Note 29Risks arising from financial instruments.

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Non-current liabilities

Million US dollar

  31 December 2019   31 December 2018
restated
 

Secured bank loans

   109    230    71    109 

Unsecured bank loans

   86    153    50    86 

Unsecured bond issues

   105 170    108 327    95 674    105 170 

Unsecured other loans

   57    53    77    57 

Finance lease liabilities

   162    186 

Lease liabilities

   1 692    1 575 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   105 584    108 949    97 564    106 997 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Current liabilities

Million US dollar

  31 December 2019   31 December 2018
restated
 

Secured bank loans

   370    272    790    370 

Commercial papers

   1 142    1 870    1 599    1 142 

Unsecured bank loans

   22    739    135    22 

Unsecured bond issues

   2 626    4 510    2 532    2 626 

Unsecured other loans

   14    15    20    14 

Finance lease liabilities

   42    27 

Lease liabilities

   333    410 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   4 216    7 433    5 410    4 584 

The current andnon-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings amount to 109.8103.0 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2018,2019, compared to 116.4111.6 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2017.2018.

Commercial papers amount to 1.11.6 billion US dollar as of 31 December 20182019 and include programs in US dollar and euro with a total authorized issuance up to 3.05.0 billion US dollar and 1.03.0 billion euro, respectively.

During 2018, AB2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. (ABIWW) and Anheuser-Busch InBev NV/SA (ABISA) 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

Issue date

 Issuer
(abbreviated)
 Maturity date Currency  Aggregate
principal amount
(in millions)
  Interest rate 
23 Jan 2019 ABIWW 23 Jan 2025  USD   2 500   4.150
23 Jan 2019 ABIWW 23 Jan 2029  USD   4 250   4.750
23 Jan 2019 ABIWW 23 Jan 2031  USD   750   4.900
23 Jan 2019 ABIWW 23 Jan 2039  USD   2 000   5.450
23 Jan 2019 ABIWW 23 Jan 2049  USD   4 000   5.550
23 Jan 2019 ABIWW 23 Jan 2059  USD   2 000   5.800
29 Mar 2019 ABISA 1 Jul 2027  EUR   1 250   1.125
29 Mar 2019 ABISA 28 Mar 2031  EUR   1 000   1.650

On 19 March,11 February 2019, the company redeemedcompleted the entire outstanding principal amounttender offers 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 atwelve series of six notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance for notes co-issued byInc. (ABIFI), Anheuser-Busch Companies LLC (“ABC”)(ABC) and Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. (ABIWW) and repurchased 16.3 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of these notes. The total principal amount of notes exchanged listed belowaccepted in the tender offers is 23.5 billion US dollar.set out in the table below.

 

Issuer

Title of series of notes
issued exchanged
Original
principal
amount
outstanding
(in million
US dollar)
Principal amount
outstanding
exchanged
(in million US dollar)
Principal
amount not
exchanged
(in million
US dollar)

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance

4.9% Notes due 204611 0009 5431 457

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance

4.7% Notes due 20366 0005 385615

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance

3.65% Notes due 202611 0008 5552 445

AB InBev is in compliance with all its debt covenants as of 31 December 2018. The 2010 senior facilities do not include restrictive financial covenants.

Date of
redemption

  

Issuer
(abbreviated)

  

Title of series of notes

issued exchanged

  

Currency

  Original principal
amount outstanding
(in million US dollar)
   Principal amount
redeemed
(in million US dollar)
 
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  2.650% Notes due 2021  USD   4 968    2 519 
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  Floating Rate Notes due 2021  USD   500    189 
11 Feb 2019  ABIWW  4.375% Notes due 2021  USD   500    215 
11 Feb 2019  ABIWW  3.750% Notes due 2022  USD   2 350    1 101 
11 Feb 2019  ABIWW  2.500% Notes due 2022  USD   3 000    1 296 
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  2.625% Notes due 2023  USD   1 250    607 
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  3.300% Notes due 2023  USD   6 000    2 886 
11 Feb 2019  ABIWW  Floating Rate Notes due 2024  USD   500    271 
11 Feb 2019  ABIWW  3.500% Notes due 2024  USD   1 500    846 
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  3.700% Notes due 2024  USD   1 400    535 
11 Feb 2019  ABIFI  3.650% Notes due 2026  USD   2 445    812 
11 Feb 2019  ABC  3.650% Notes due 2026  USD   8 555    5 064 

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 

Furthermore, in 2019, the company redeemed the outstanding principal amounts indicated in the table below of the following series of notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev NV/SA (ABISA), Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. (ABIFI) and Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. (ABIWW):

Date of

redemption

  

Issuer
(abbreviated)

  

Title of series of notes

issued exchanged

  

Currency

  Aggregate principal
amount outstanding
(in millions)
   Principal amount
redeemed
(in millions)
 
25 Apr 2019  ABISA  2.25% Notes due 2020  EUR   750    750 
25 Apr 2019  ABIWW  3.750% Notes due 2022  USD   1 249    1 249 
25 Apr 2019  ABIFI  3.300% Notes due 2023  USD   3 114    315 
29 Oct 2019  ABISA  0.625% Notes due 2020  EUR   1 750    1 750 
29 Oct 2019  ABIFI  2.650% Notes due 2021  USD   2 449    2 449 
29 Oct 2019  ABIWW  2.500% Notes due 2022  USD   1 704    525 
12 Nov 2019  ABIWW  2.500% Notes due 2022  USD   1 179    725 

Terms and debt repayment

schedule at 31 December 2019

Million US dollar

  Total   1 year or
less
   1-2 years   2-3 years   3-5 years   More than 5
years
 

Secured bank loans

   861    790    14    14    16    27 

Commercial papers

   1 599    1 599    —      —      —      —   

Unsecured bank loans

   185    135    50    —      —      —   

Unsecured bond issues

   98 206    2 532    2 506    2 760    11 435    78 973 

Unsecured other loans

   98    21    13    8    4    52 

Lease liabilities

   2 025    333    290    198    225    979 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   102 974    5 410    2 873    2 980    11 680    80 031 

Terms and debt repayment

schedule at 31 December 2018

Million US dollar (restated)

  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 

Lease liabilities

   1 985    410    312    255    357    650 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   111 581    4 584    5 627    8 401    17 572    75 396 

Lease liabilities

Million US dollar

  2019
Payments
   2019
Interests
   2019
Principal
   2018
Payments
restated
   2018
Interests
restated
   2018
Principal
restated
 

Less than one year

   404    71    333    508    98    410 

Between one and two years

   350    60    290    391    79    312 

Between two and three years

   243    45    198    325    70    255 

Between three and five years

   285    60    225    467    110    357 

More than 5 years

   1 056    77    979    900    250    650 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2 338   313   2 025   2 591   606   1 985 

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 asbecause it is one of the primary measures that AB InBev’s management uses when evaluating its progress towards deleveraging.

AB InBev’s net debt decreased to 102.595.5 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2019, from 104.2 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2018 from 104.4 billion US dollar asafter restatement for adoption of 31 December 2017. ApartIFRS 16 on lease accounting and inclusion of the lease liability. Aside from operating results that are net of capital expenditures, the net debt is impacted mainly impacted by the acquisition by Ambev of additional shares in Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“CND”) following the partial exercise by E. León Jimenes S.A. (“ELJ”) of its put option (0.9 billion US dollar), the payment 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 “Miller International Business” (0.3 billion US dollar), dividend payments to shareholders of AB InBev and Ambev (7.8 billion US dollar), the payment of interests and taxes (7.1 billion US dollar) and, the impactsettlement of changes in foreign exchange rates (2.1derivatives (0.8 billion US dollar decreaseincrease of net debt), dividend payments to AB InBev’s shareholders (5.0 billion US dollar), foreign exchange impact on debt (0.4 billion US dollar) and the proceeds of the IPO of AB InBev’s Asia Pacific subsidiary (5.6 billion US dollar proceeds net of expenses).

The following table provides a reconciliation of AB InBev’s net debt as at 31 December:

 

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   105 584    108 949 

Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   4 216    7 433 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   109 800    116 382 

Bank overdrafts

   114    117 

Cash and cash equivalents

   (7 074   (10 472

Interest bearing loans granted and other deposits (included within Trade and other receivables)

   (267   (309

Debt securities (included within Investment securities)

   (111   (1 328
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt

   102 462    104 391 


Million US dollar

  31 December
2019
   31 December 2018
restated
 

Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   97 564    106 997 

Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   5 410    4 584 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   102 974    111 581 

Bank overdrafts

   68    114 

Cash and cash equivalents

   (7 238   (7 074

Interest bearing loans granted and other deposits (included within Trade and other receivables)

   (146   (268

Debt securities (included within Investment securities)

   (117   (111
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt

   95 542    104 242 

RECONCILIATION OF LIABILITIES ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIESReconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

The table below details changes in the company’s liabilities arising from financing activities, including both cash andnon-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 flowsflow statement from financing activities.

 

Million US dollar

  Long-term debt, net
of current portion
   Short-term debt and
current portion of
long-term debt
   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 

Balance at 1 January 2019

   106 997    4 584 

Proceeds from borrowings

   15 111    2 672    17 939    4 645 

Payments on borrowings

   (13 925   (8 564   (22 339   (8 253

Capitalization / (payment) of lease liabilities

   420    (441

Amortized cost

   47    255    75    13 

Unrealized foreign exchange effects

   (1 837   (298   (538   (39

Current portion of long-term debt

   (2 732   2 732    (4 769   4 769 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

   (69   (15

Other movements

   (29   (14   (152   147 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2018

   105 584    4 216 

Balance at 31 December 2019

   97 564    5 410 

25.

Million US dollar (restated)

  Long-term debt, net
of current portion
   Short-term debt and
current portion of
long-term debt
 

Balance at 1 January 2018

   110 637    7 846 

Proceeds from borrowings

   15 111    2 672 

Payments on borrowings

   (13 925   (8 564

Capitalization / (payment) of lease liabilities

   215    (423

Amortized cost

   47    17 

Unrealized foreign exchange effects

   (1 951   (316

Current portion of long-term debt

   (3 114   3 114 

Other movements

   (22   238 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2018

   106 997    4 584 

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 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 2018,2019, contributions paid into defined contribution plans for the company amounted to 116m101m US dollar compared to 118m109m US dollar for 20172018 and 77m107m US dollar for 2016.2017.

DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS

During 2018,2019, the company contributed to 8482 defined benefit plans, of which 6261 are retirement or leaving service plans, 1817 are medical cost plans and 4 other long-term employee benefit plans. Most plans provide retirement and leaving service benefits related to pay and years of service. In 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 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 175m161m 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 2018,2019, 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 2 834m US dollar as of 31 December 2019 compared to 2 665m US dollar as of 31 December 2018 compared to 2 971m US dollar as of 31 December 2017.2018. In 2018,2019, the fair value of the plan assets decreasedincreased by 564m383m US dollar and the defined benefit obligations decreasedincreased by 842m575m US dollar. The decreaseincrease in the employee benefit net liability is mainly driven by increasesdecreases in discount rates and favorableunfavorable 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

  2018   2017 

Present value of funded obligations

   (6 762   (7 506

Fair value of plan assets

   5 059    5 623 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Present value of net obligations for funded plans

   (1 703   (1 883

Present value of unfunded obligations

   (806   (904
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Present value of net obligations

   (2 509   (2 787

Unrecognized asset

   (77   (111
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net liability

   (2 586   (2 898

Other long term employee benefits

   (79   (73

Reclassified as held for sale

   —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total employee benefits

   (2 665   (2 971

Employee benefits amounts in the balance sheet:

    

Liabilities

   (2 681   (2 993

Assets

   16    22 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net liability

   (2 665   (2 971

Million US dollar

  2019   2018 

Present value of funded obligations

   (7 333   (6 762

Fair value of plan assets

   5 442    5 059 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Present value of net obligations for funded plans

   (1 891   (1 703

Present value of unfunded obligations

   (810   (806
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Present value of net obligations

   (2 701   (2 509

Unrecognized asset

   (74   (77
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net liability

   (2 775   (2 586

Other long-term employee benefits

   (59   (79
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total employee benefits

   (2 834   (2 665

Employee benefits amounts in the balance sheet:

    

Liabilities

   (2 848   (2 681

Assets

   14    16 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net liability

   (2 834   (2 665

The changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligations are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Defined benefit obligation at 1 January

   (8 410   (7 952   (7 594   (7 568   (8 410   (7 952

Current service costs

   (72   (74   (73   (67   (72   (74

Interest cost

   (322   (340   (347   (326   (322   (340

Past service gain/(cost)

   (3   17    8    (9   (3   17 

Settlements

   45    6    174    109    45    6 

Benefits paid

   493    502    482    596    493    502 

Contribution by plan participants

   (3   (4   (4   (2   (3   (4

Acquisition and disposal through business combination

   —      —      (260

Actuarial gains/(losses) – demographic assumptions

   27    24    (1   61    27    24 

Actuarial gains/(losses) – financial assumptions

   350    (264   (607   (912   350    (264

Experience adjustments

   14    (21   37    29    14    (21

Exchange differences

   313    (343   256    (86   313    (343

Transfers and other movements

   —      39    (23   32    —      39 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Defined benefit obligation at 31 December

   (7 568   (8 410   (7 952   (8 143   (7 568   (8 410

As at the last valuation date, the present value of the defined benefit obligation was comprised of approximately 1.61.7 billion US dollar relating to active employees, 1.51.7 billion US dollar relating to deferred members and 4.54.8 billion US dollar relating to members in retirement.

The changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Fair value of plan assets at 1 January

   5 623    5 177    5 075    5 059    5 623    5 177 

Interest income

   225    239    249    218    225    239 

Administration costs

   (14   (22   (24   (23   (14   (22

Return on plan assets exceeding interest income

   (333   233    297    579    (333   233 

Contributions by AB InBev

   307    315    302    294    307    315 

Contributions by plan participants

   3    4    4    2    3    4 

Benefits paid net of administration costs

   (493   (502   (478   (596   (493   (502

Acquisition through business combination

   —      —      68 

Assets distributed on settlements

   (45   (7   (164   (107   (45   (7

Exchange differences

   (214   214    (155   46    (214   214 

Transfers and other movements

   —      (28   3    (30   —      (28
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at 31 December

   5 059    5 623    5 177    5 442    5 059    5 623 

Actual return on plans assets amounted to a gain of 797m US dollar in 2019 compared to a loss of 108m US dollar in 2018 compared to a gain of 472m US dollar in 2017.2018.

The changes in the unrecognized asset are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Irrecoverable surplus impact at 1 January

   (111   (168   (137   (77   (111   (168

Interest expense

   (10   (17   (17   (7   (10   (17

Changes excluding amounts included in interest expense

   44    74    14    9    44    74 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Irrecoverable surplus impact at 31 December

   (77   (111   (168   (74   (77   (111

The expense recognized in the income statement with regard to defined benefit plans can be detailed as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016 

Current service costs

   (72   (74   (73

Administration costs

   (14   (22   (24

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

   (86   (76   (79

Net finance cost

   (107   (120   (115
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total employee benefit expense

   (193   (196   (194

Million US dollar

  2019   2018   2017 

Current service costs

   (67   (72   (74

Administration costs

   (23   (14   (22

Past service cost due to plan amendments and curtailments

   66    (3   17 

(Losses)/gains due to experience and demographic assumption changes

   1    3    3 

Profit from operations

   (23   (86   (76

Net finance cost

   (114   (107   (120
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total employee benefit expense

   (137   (193   (196

The employee benefit expense is included in the following line items of the income statement:

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Cost of sales

   (26   (24   (59   (17   (26   (24

Distribution expenses

   (11   (10   (9   (5   (11   (10

Sales and marketing expenses

   (16   (15   (13   (4   (16   (15

Administrative expenses

   (28   (29   (15   3    (28   (29

Other operating (expense)/income

   (6   (4   10    —      (6   (4

Exceptional items

   1    6    7    —      1    6 

Net finance cost

   (107   (120   (115   (114   (107   (120
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (193   (196   (194   (137   (193   (196

Weighted average assumptions used in computing the benefit obligations of the company’s significant plans at the balance sheet date are as follows:

 

   2019 
   United
States
  Canada  Mexico  Brazil  United
Kingdom
  AB InBev 

Discount rate

   3.3  3.1  7.5  7.2  2.0  3.3

Price inflation

   2.5  2.0  3.5  3.8  3.1  2.7

Future salary increases

   —     1.0  4.3  7.4%-5.4  —     3.8

Future pension increases

   —     2.0  3.5  3.8  2.9  2.7

Medical cost trend rate

   6.5%-4.5  4.5  —     7.4  —     6.6%-6.1

Life expectation for a 65 year old male

   85   87   82   85   87   85 

Life expectation for a 65 year old female

   87   89   85   88   89   87 

   2018 
   United
States
  Canada  Mexico  Brazil  United
Kingdom
  AB InBev 

Discount rate

   4.3  3.9  9.0  8.9  2.8  4.3

Price inflation

   2.5  2.0  3.5  4.0  3.4  2.7

Future salary increases

   —     1.0  4.3  7.6%-5.6  —     3.8

Future pension increases

   —     2.0  3.5  4.0  3.0  2.8

Medical cost trend rate

   6.5%-4.5  4.5  —     7.6  —     6.8%-6.0

Life expectation for a 65 year old male

   85   87   82   85   87   85 

Life expectation for a 65 year old female

   87   89   85   88   89   87 

   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:

INVESTMENT 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 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 13.8 years (2018: 13.3 years (2017:years; 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

  2018   2019 
  Change in assumption Increase in assumption   Decrease in assumption   Change in assumption Increase in assumption   Decrease in assumption 

Discount rate

   0.5 (468   501    0.5 (523   565 

Price inflation

   0.5 152    (163   0.5 171    (182

Future salary increase

   0.5 28    (26   0.5 32    (30

Medical cost trend rate

   1.0 45    (39   1.0 45    (39

Longevity

   One year  220    (229   One year  251    (252

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:

 

  2018 2017   2019 2018 
  Quoted Unquoted Total Quoted Unquoted Total   Quoted Unquoted Total Quoted Unquoted Total 

Government bonds

   32  —    32 27  —    27   33  —    33 32  —    32

Corporate bonds

   36  —    36 37  —    37   35  —    35 36  —    36

Equity instruments

   22  —    22 26  —    26   23  —    23 22  —    22

Property

   —    4 4  —    4 4   —    4 4  —    4 4

Insurance contracts and others

   4 2 6 5 1 6   4 1 5 4 2 6
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   94  6  100  95  5  100   95  5  100  94  6  100

AB InBev expects to contribute approximately 246m325m US dollar for its funded defined benefit plans and 73m81m US dollar in benefit payments to its unfunded defined benefit plans and post-retirement medical plans in 2019.2020.

26.

26. Share-based payments1

Different share and share option programs allow companythe company’s 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”), the long-term incentiverestricted stock optionunit plan for directors (“LTIRestricted Stock OptionUnits Plan Directors”)for Directors), and the long-term incentive stock-option plan for executives (“LTI Stock Option Plan Executives”). For all option plans, the fair value of share-based payment compensation is estimated at the grant date, using a binomial Hull model, which has been modified to reflect the IFRS 2 Share-based Paymentshare-based payment requirement that assumptions about forfeiture before the end of the vesting period cannot impact the fair value of the option. All of the companycompany’s share-based payment plans are equity-settled.

Share-based payment transactions resulted in a total expense of 340m US dollar for the year 2019, as compared to 353m US dollar for the year 2018 as compared to 359mand 348m US dollar for the year 2017 and 228m for the year 2016.2017.

AB INBEV SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Share-Based Compensation Plan

As from 1 January 2010, the structure of the Share-Based Compensation Plan for certain executives in the general headquarters, has been modified. From 1 January 2011, the new plan structure applies to all other senior management. Under this plan, members of the Executive Board of Management (replaced as from 1 January 2019 by the Executive Committee)Committee and other senior employees 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 also matches 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 2018,2019, AB InBev issued 1.5m1.6m of matching restricted stock units in relation to bonus granted to company employees and management.management (2018: 1.5m of matching restricted stock units). These matching restricted stock units are valued at the share price at the day of grant date, and representing a fair value of approximately 158m153m US dollar and cliff vest after five years. During 2017, AB InBev issued 0.3m 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 31myears (2018: 158m US dollar and cliff vest after five years.dollar).

1

Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the average rate of the period, unless otherwise indicated.

LTIRestricted Stock OptionUnits Plan for Directors

Before 2014,Since the annual shareholder meeting of 24 April 2019, the share-based portion of the remuneration of the directors of 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 Board of Management 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 Board of Management (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 compensationhas been granted in the form of sharesrestricted stock units and options granted under the Share-Based Compensation Plan and the LTI Stock Option Plan Executives.

Since 2014, directors arewill no longer eligible to receive warrants underbe granted in 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 consistform of LTI stock options instead of LTI warrants (i.e.as was previously 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 LTIcase. Such restricted 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 cliffunits vest after 5 years. Unvested options are subjectyears and, upon vesting, entitle their holders 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.

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 LTIone AB InBev share per restricted 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.unit.

During 2018, AB InBev2019, approximately 0.1m restricted stock units were granted 0.2m stock options to members of the board of directors representing awith an estimated fair value of approximately 4m US dollar (2017: 0.2m stock options with a fair value of approximately 4m US dollar).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.

During 20182019, AB InBev issued 8.1m LTI stock options with an estimated fair value of 91m US dollar (2018: 7.2m LTI stock options with an estimated fair value of 102m US dollar. During 2017 AB InBev issued 7.8m LTIdollar). Out of these, 0.4m stock options with an estimated fair valuewere granted to members of 149m US dollar, whereby 1.4m options relate to American Depositary Shares (ADSs) and 6.4m options to AB InBev shares.the Executive Committee.

Performance related incentive plan for Disruptive Growth Function (ZX Ventures)

In 2016 the company implemented a new performance related incentive plan which substitutes 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 in such as e.g.e-commerce, adjacencies, mobile, craft and branded experiences such as brew pubs.

During 2018,2019, approximately 2.7m3.8m performance units were granted to senior management of the Disruptive Growth Function (2017: approximately 2.0m(2018: 2.7m performance 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.

TheThese units vest after 5 years provided that a performance test is met. Specific forfeiture rules apply in casethe event that the executive leaves the company.

Other Grants

AB InBev has in place three specific long-term incentive 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 ofthe event that an employee’s service is terminated before the vesting date, special forfeiture rules apply. In 2018, 2.3m2019, 0.9m restricted stock units with an estimated fair value of 184m74m US dollar were granted under this program to a selected number of employees (2017: 0.1m(2018: 2.3m restricted stock units with an estimated fair value of 9m184m 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, asin order to provide 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, with the first halfseries of the restricted stock units vesting after five years, and the second halfseries vesting after ten years. As a variantAlternatively, under this program, the restricted stock units may be granted with a shorter vesting period of 2.5 to 3 years for the first halfseries and 5 years for the second halfseries of the restricted stock units. In case of termination ofthe event that an employee’s service is terminated before the vesting date, special forfeiture rules apply. As 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 2018,2019, approximately 0.4m0.1m restricted stock units were granted with an estimated fair value of 35m2m US dollar (2017: 0.8m(2018: 0.4m stock options with an estimated fair value of 15m35m US dollar).

1

Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the average rate of the period, unless otherwise indicated.

A third program allows certain employees to purchase company shares at a discount and is aimed asat providing 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 terminationthe event that an employee’s service is terminated before the vesting date, special forfeiture rules apply. In 2018,2019, employees purchased 0.1m shares under this program for the equivalent of 1m US dollar (2017:(2018: 0.1m shares for the equivalent of 5m1m 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 of the Performance RSUs 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 achievementis achieved or the vesting date.

During 2018, AB InBev granted 0.5m In 2019, no new Performance RSUs to a selected group of members ofwere granted under this program (2018: 0.5 m shares for 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 valueequivalent of 46m US dollar.dollar).

In order to maintain the consistency of benefits granted to executives and to encourage the international mobility of executives, an optionsoption exchange program can be executed whereby unvested options are exchanged againstfor restricted shares that remainlocked-up until 5 years after the end of the initial vesting period. The shares that result from the exercise of the options must in principle remainlocked-up until 31 December 2023. In 2018,2019, no options were exchanged againstfor ordinary blocked shares (2017: 0.3m options were exchanged against ordinary blocked shares)(2018: nil). 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 2018 and 2017, no new options were issued.

The Board has also approved the early release of vesting conditions of unvested stock options or restricted stock units whichthat are vesting within 6 months of the executives’ relocation. The shares that result from the early exercise of the options or the early vesting of the restricted stock units must remain blocked until the end of the initial vesting period. In 2018,2019, the vesting of 0.3m0.1m stock options and restricted stock units was accelerated under this program for other members of the senior management. Out of these, the vesting ofmanagement (2018: 0.3m stock options and restricted stock units was accelerated for members of the Executive Board of Management.options).

The weighted average fair value of the options and assumptions used in applying the AB InBev option pricing model for the 20182019 grants of awards described above are as follows:

 

Amounts in US dollar unless otherwise indicated1

  2018 2017 2016   2019 2018 2017 

Fair value of options granted

   16.92  19.94  17.40    11.79  16.92  19.94 

Share price

   98.66  117.77  103.77    78.46  98.66  117.77 

Exercise price

   98.66  117.77  103.77    78.46  98.66  117.77 

Expected volatility

   23 23 24   23 23 23

Expected dividends

   3.00 3.00 3.00   3.00 3.00 3.00

Risk-free interest rate

   0.39 0.72 0.54   0.43 0.39 0.72

Expected volatility is based on historical volatility calculated using 3 295 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 thatover10-years 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   2019   2018   2017 

Options outstanding at 1 January

   93.0    64.9    47.6    92.6    93.0    64.9 

Options issued during the year

   5.2    35.0    20.4    13.8    5.2    35.0 

Options exercised during the year

   (1.7   (3.0   (2.2   (10.7   (1.7   (3.0

Options forfeited during the year

   (4.0   (3.9   (0.9   (7.0   (4.0   (3.9
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Options outstanding at the end of December

   92.6    93.0    64.9    88.7    92.6    93.0 

The range of exercise prices of the outstanding options is between 10.32 euro (11.82(11.59 US dollar)1 and 121.95 euro (139.63(137.00 US dollar) while the weighted average remaining contractual life is 8.398.64 years.

Of the 92.6m88.7m outstanding options 16.2m18.6m are vested at 31 December 2018.2019.

The weighted average exercise price of the AB InBev options is as follows:

 

Amounts in US dollar1

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Options outstanding at 1 January

   98.32    76.25    64.50    94.74    98.32    76.25 

Granted during the year

   104.77    117.24    104.71    83.33    104.77    117.24 

Exercised during the year

   44.96    38.94    32.45    29.27    44.96    38.94 

Forfeited during the year

   113.19    108.26    88.68    108.44    113.19    108.26 

Outstanding at the end of December

   94.74    98.32    76.25    79.66    94.74    98.32 

Exercisable at the end of December

   21.40    59.66    40.62    65.33    21.40    59.66 

For share options exercised during 2019, the weighted average share price at the date of exercise was 78.24 euro (87.89 US dollar).

 

1 

Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the closing rate of the respective period.

For share options exercised during 2018, the weighted average share price at the date of exercise was 79.22 euro (90.71 US dollar).

The total number of outstanding AB InBev restricted stock units developed as follows:

 

Million restricted stock units

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Restricted stock units outstanding at 1 January

   5.4    5.8    5.6    6.0    5.4    5.8 

Restricted stock units issued during the year

   2.3    0.7    1.4    5.5    2.3    0.7 

Restricted stock units exercised during the year

   (0.5   (0.7   (1.1   (1.0   (0.5   (0.7

Restricted stock units forfeited during the year

   (1.2   (0.4   (0.1   (0.7   (1.2   (0.4
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Restricted stock units outstanding at the end of December

   6.0    5.4    5.8    9.9    6.0    5.4 

AMBEV SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Since 2005, Ambev has had in place 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 0.4m0.2m deferred stock units in 2019 with an estimated fair value of 1m US dollar (2018: 4m deferred stock units in 2018 with an estimated fair value of 2m US dollar.dollar).

Since 2018, Ambev has had in place 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 13.1m11.8m restricted stock units in 20182019 with an estimated fair value of 54m US dollar (2018: 13.1m restricted stock units with an estimated fair value of 66m US dollar.dollar).

As fromof 2010, senior employees are eligible for an annual long-term incentive to be paid out in Ambev LTI stock options (or, in the future, similar share-based instruments), depending on management’s assessment of the employee’s performance and future potential. In 2018,2019, Ambev granted 24.6m LTI stock options with an estimated fair value of 28m US dollar (2018: 19.5m LTI stock options with an estimated fair value of 30m US dollar. (2017: 20.4m LTI stock options with an estimated fair value of 42m US Dollar)dollar).

The weighted fair value of the options and assumptions used in applying a binomial option pricing model for the 20182019 Ambev grants are as follows:

 

Amounts in US dollar unless otherwise indicated1

  2018 2017 2016   2019 2018 2017 

Fair value of options granted

   1.47  1.97  1.90    1.12  1.47  1.97 

Share price

   4.66  5.99  5.27    4.38  4.66  5.99 

Exercise price

   4.66  5.99  5.27    4.38  4.66  5.99 

Expected volatility

   26 27 27   24 26 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

   9.6 10.10 12.40   7.8 9.6 10.10

The total number of outstanding Ambev options developed as follows:

 

Million options

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Options outstanding at 1 January

   135.2    131.3    121.7    141.3    135.2    131.3 

Options issued during the year

   19.9    20.4    24.8    24.6    19.9    20.4 

Options exercised during the year

   (10.0   (13.5   (11.6   (7.8   (10.0   (13.5

Options forfeited during the year

   (3.8   (2.9   (3.7   (16.3   (3.8   (2.9
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Options outstanding at the end of December

   141.3    135.2    131.3    141.8    141.3    135.2 

The range of exercise prices of the outstanding options is between 0.010.001 Brazilian real (0.00 US dollar) and 27.4334.37 Brazilian real (7.08(8.53 US dollar) while the weighted average remaining contractual life is 6.276.33 years.

Of the 141.3m141.8m outstanding options 55.5m46.6m options are vested at 31 December 2018.2019.

The weighted average exercise price of the Ambev options is as follows:

 

Amounts in US dollar1

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Options outstanding at 1 January

   3.94    4.19    3.17    4.17    3.94    4.19 

Granted during the year

   4.66    5.99    5.27    4.48    4.66    5.99 

Exercised during the year

   1.93    1.76    0.77    2.25    1.93    1.76 

Forfeited during the year

   4.79    5.41    3.94    5.27    4.79    5.41 

Outstanding at the end of December

   4.17    4.92    4.26    4.60    4.17    4.92 

Exercisable at the end of December

   0.58    1.14    1.12    4.74    0.58    1.14 

For share options exercised during 2018,2019, the weighted average share price at the date of exercise was 21.0318.68 Brazilian real (5.63(4.63 US dollar).

 

1 

Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the closing rate of the respective period.

The total number of outstanding Ambev deferred and restricted stock units developed as follows:

 

Million restricted stock units

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Restricted stock units outstanding at 1 January

   16.3    19.3    19.1    25.0    16.3    19.3 

Restricted stock units issued during the year

   13.5    0.8    7.3    12.0    13.5    0.8 

Restricted stock units exercised during the year

   (3.7   (2.9   (6.1

Restricted stock units vested during the year

   (4.2   (3.7   (2.9

Restricted stock units forfeited during the year

   (1.1   (0.9   (1.0   (1.1   (1.1   (0.9
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Restricted stock units outstanding at the end of December

   25.0    16.3    19.3    31.7    25.0    16.3 

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”, 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. In 2019, Ambev did not issue any share appreciation rights.

During 2018,2019, 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 0.1m AB InBev shares (0.1m(2018: 0.1m AB InBev shares in 2017)shares) at a discount of 16.7%16.66% provided that they stay in service for another five years. The fair value of this transaction amounts to approximately 1m US dollar (2m(2018: 1m US dollar in 2017)dollar) 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. ProvisionsBUD APAC SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PROGRAM

In December 2019, Budweiser APAC setup a new long term incentive plan in which senior employees are eligible for an annual long-term incentive to be paid out in Budweiser APAC stock options (or, in the future, similar share-based instruments), depending on management’s assessment of the employee’s performance and future potential. In 2019, Budweiser APAC granted 9m stock options with an estimated fair value of 10m US dollar.

Additionally, Budweiser APAC setup a new discretionary restricted stock units plan which allows for the offer of restricted stock units to certain employees in certain specific circumstances, at the discretion of the Board, e.g. as a special retention incentive. The restricted stock units vest after five years and in the event that an employee’s service is terminated before the vesting date, special forfeiture rules apply. In 2019, 4m restricted stock units with an estimated fair value of 13m US dollar were granted under this program to a selected number of employees.

 

Million US dollar

  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 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

   15    20    38    73 

Acquisitions through business combinations

   —      —      —      —   

Provisions made

   88    185    35    308 

Provisions used

   (186   (135   (99   (419

Provisions reversed

   (2   (160   2    (160

Other movements

   6    7    39    52 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2017

   153    1 383    864    2 400 
27.

Provisions

Million US dollar

  Restructuring   Disputes   Other   Total 

Balance at 1 January 2019

   130    1 077    711    1 918 

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

   (2   (13   —      (15

Provisions made

   69    234    2    305 

Provisions used

   (78   (128   (293   (499

Provisions reversed

   (16   (92   (38   (146

Other movements

   —      (642   (10   (652
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2019

   103    436    372    911 

Million US dollar

  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 31 December 2018

   130    1 077    711    1 918 

The restructuring provisions are primarily explained by the organizational alignments - alignments—see also Note 8Exceptional items. Provisions for disputes mainly relate to various disputed direct and indirect taxes and to claims from former employees.

In 2016, the European Commission announced an investigation into the 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. In connection with these ongoing proceedings, AB InBev recognized a provision of 230m US dollar in 2018. On 13 May 2019, the European Commission announced that it had fined AB InBev a total of 200m euro (226m US dollar) for breaching EU antitrust rules. The fine was paid in August 2019.

Effective 1 January 2019, AB InBev adopted IFRIC 23Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments and has elected to apply IFRIC 23 retrospectively. The cumulative effect of the interpretation was recognized at the date of initial application and the company has not restated comparative periods in the year of initial application. AB InBev reviewed the income tax treatments in order to determine whether the interpretation could have an impact on the consolidated financial statements. In that respect, as at 31 December 2019, the company reclassified 573m US dollar of its existing income tax provisions into income tax liabilities, consistently with the current discussions held at the IFRS Interpretation Committee, which concluded that an entity is required to present assets and liabilities for uncertain tax treatments as current tax assets/liabilities or deferred tax assets/liabilities.

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   Total   < 1 year   1-2 years   2-5 years   > 5 years 

Restructuring

   130    63    18    47    2    103    39    22    23    19 

Income and indirect taxes

   627    365    141    83    38 

Indirect taxes

   107    11    37    8    51 

Labor

   136    44    12    73    7    133    30    18    77    8 

Commercial

   34    14    6    13    1    20    8    10    1    1 

Environmental

   1    1    —      —      —   

Excise duties

   18    —      3    15    —      12    —      10    2    —   

Other disputes

   262    7    102    153    —      163    53    98    12    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Disputes

   1 077    430    264    337    46    436    103    173    100    60 

Other provisions

   711    273    213    225    —      372    68    134    170    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total provisions

   1 918    766    495    609    48    911    210    329    293    79 

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 2018, the emission allowances owned fully covered the expected CO2 emissions. As such no provision needed to be recognized.

28.

Trade and other payables

28. Trade and other payables

NON-CURRENT TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Indirect taxes payable

   194    157 

Trade payables

   238    380 

Deferred consideration on acquisitions

   1 247    699 

Other payables

   138    226 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current trade and other payables

   1 816    1 462 

Million US dollar

  31 December 2019   31 December 2018 

Indirect taxes payable

   174    194 

Trade payables

   237    238 

Deferred consideration on acquisitions

   1 418    1 247 

Other payables

   113    138 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current trade and other payables

   1 943    1 816 

CURRENT TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017   31 December 2019   31 December 2018 

Trade payables and accrued expenses

   15 512    15 240    15 876    15 512 

Payroll and social security payables

   900    1 284    736    900 

Indirect taxes payable

   2 633    2 862    2 708    2 633 

Interest payable

   1 616    1 790    1 679    1 616 

Consigned packaging

   1 093    1 111    1 106    1 093 

Dividends payable

   331    479    338    331 

Deferred income

   32    30    21    32 

Deferred consideration on acquisitions

   163    1 723    221    163 

Other payables

   289    243    179    289 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Current trade and other payables

   22 568    24 762    22 864    22 568 

As at 31 December 2018,2019, deferred consideration on acquisitions is mainly comprised of 0.60.7 billion US dollar for the put option included in the 2012 shareholders’ agreement between Ambev and ELJ, which may result in Ambev acquiring additional shares in Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“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%.

29.

29.

Risks arising from financial instruments

FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Set out below is an overview of financial assets1 held by the company atyear-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 

Million US dollar

  31 December 2019   31 December 2018 

Debt instruments at amortized cost

    

Trade and other receivables

   5 444    6 298 

Debt instruments at fair value through OCI

    

Unquoted debt

   25    24 

Debt instruments at fair value through profit or loss

    

Quoted debt

   91    87 

Equity instruments at fair value through OCI

    

Unquoted companies

   85    84 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

    

Derivatives not designated in hedge accounting relationships:

    

Equity swaps

   17    —   

Interest rate swaps

   18    9 

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   157    32 

Other derivatives

   —      20 

Derivatives designated in hedge accounting relationships:

    

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   112    191 

Foreign currency futures

   7    —   

Commodities

   52    54 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   6 009    6 799 

Of which:

    

Non-current

   883    1 068 

Current

   5 126    5 731 

 

1 

Cash and short term deposits are not included in this overview.

Set out below is an overview of financial liabilities held by the company atyear-end:

 

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017   31 December 2019   31 December 2018
restated
 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

        

Derivatives not designated in hedge accounting relationships:

        

Equity swaps

   4 877    1 057    3 146    4 816 

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   387    906    140    387 

Other derivatives

   456    2    156    456 

Derivatives designated in hedge accounting relationships:

        

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   132    211    435    132 

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   103    —      35    103 

Interest rate swaps

   56    37    4    56 

Commodities

   273    67    97    273 

Equity swaps

   31    61 

Other derivatives

   56    73    107    56 

Financial liabilities at amortized cost

        

Trade and other payables

   20 658    21 921    21 189    20 658 

Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings:

        

Secured bank loans

   109    230    71    109 

Unsecured bank loans

   86    153    50    86 

Unsecured bond issues

   105 170    108 327    95 674    105 170 

Unsecured other loans

   57    53    77    57 

Finance lease liabilities

   162    186 

Lease liabilities

   1 692    1 575 

Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings:

        

Secured bank loans

   370    272    790    370 

Unsecured bank loans

   22    739    135    22 

Unsecured bond issues

   2 626    4 510    2 532    2 626 

Unsecured other loans

   14    15    20    14 

Commercial paper

   1 142    1 870    1 599    1 142 

Bank overdrafts

   114    117    68    114 

Finance lease liabilities

   42    27 

Lease liabilities

   333    410 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   136 912    140 773    128 381    138 693 

Of which:

        

Non-current

   108 012    111 191    99 684    109 385 

Current

   28 899    29 582    28 696    29 308 

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 a combined basis and defines strategies to manage the economic impact on the company’s performance in line with its financial risk management policy.

The mainAB InBev’s primarily uses the following derivative instruments used areinstruments: 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.

The table below provides an overview of the notional amounts of derivatives outstanding atyear-end by maturity bucket.

 

   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    —      —      —      —   

   31 December 2019   31 December 2018 

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

   21 216    36    —      —      —      11 423    190    —      —      —   

Foreign currency futures

   1 359    723    —      —      —      648    —      —      —      —   

Interest rate

                    

Interest rate swaps

   750    —      1 500    1 000    —      2 250    750    28    1 873    36 

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   15    513    5 445    500    668    1 807    51    16    6 464    681 

Other interest rate derivatives

   —      —      —      —      565    4    —      —      —      565 

Commodities

                    

Aluminum swaps

   1 411    22    —      —      —      1 597    73    —      —      —   

Other commodity derivatives

   771    20    —      —      —      1 241    32    —      —      —   

Equity

                    

Equity derivatives

   11 638    —      —      —      —      11 347    —      —      —      —   

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

AB InBev is subject to foreign currency risk when 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. To manage foreign currency risk the company uses mainly foreign currency rate agreements, exchange traded foreign currency futures and cross currency interest rate swaps.

ForeignFOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK ON THE DISPOSAL OF AUSTRALIAN OPERATIONS

During 2019, AB InBev entered into derivative foreign exchange riskforward contracts in order to economically hedge against the exposure to changes in the US dollar against the proceeds denominated in Australian dollar. These derivatives qualify for cash flow hedge accounting under IFRS 9. As of 31 December 19, 22m US dollar positivemark-to-market adjustment (including 219m US dollarsmark-to-market received in cash) related to this hedging is recognized under cash flow hedge reserve. Once the disposal is completed, the effective component of the hedge will adjust the results on operating activitiesdisposal of subsidiaries.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK ON OPERATING ACTIVITIES

AB InBev’s policy is to hedge operating 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. Operating transactions that are considered certain to occur are hedged without any time limits.Non-operating transactions (such as acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries) are hedged as soon as they are highly probable.

The table below shows the company’s main net foreign currency positions for 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 2018 31 December 2017   31 December 2019 31 December 2018 
  Total Total   Open Total Total   Open   Total Total   Open Total Total   Open 

Million US dollar

  exposure hedges   position exposure hedges   position   exposure hedges   position exposure hedges   position 

Euro/Canadian dollar

   (39 39    —    (32 32    —      (52 39    (13 (39 39    —   

Euro/Mexican peso

   (187 182    (5 (275 246    (29   (151 156    5  (187 182    (5

Euro/Pound sterling

   (239 213    (26 (82 110    28    (126 124    (2 (239 213    (26

Euro/Russian ruble

   —     —      —    (58 68    10 

Euro/South African rand

   (90 52    (38 (84 84    —      (99 95    (4 (90 52    (38

Euro/South Korean won

   (51 59    8  (53 44    (9   (49 46    (3 (51 59    8 

Euro/Ukrainian hryvnia

   —     —      —    (58  —      (58

Euro/US dollar

   (415 404    (11 (271 425    154    (409 337    (72 (415 404    (11

Mexican peso/Chinese yuan

   (216 199    (17  —     —      —      —     —      —    (216 199    (17

Mexican peso/Euro

   (300 301    1   —     —      —      (178 161    (17 (300 301    1 

Pound sterling/Euro

   (34 34    —    (87 128    41    (39 40    1  (34 34    —   

Pound sterling/US dollar

   —     —      —    (40 40    —   

US dollar/Argentinian peso

   (573 484    (89 (678 678    —      (531 510    (21 (573 484    (89

US dollar/Australian dollar

   (209 209    —    (469 192    (277   (216 204    (12 (209 209    —   

US dollar/Bolivian boliviano

   (76 76    —    (20 20    —      (69 70    1  (76 76    —   

US dollar/Brazilian real

   (1 303 1 223    (80 (1 184 1 184    —      (1 443 1 447    4  (1 303 1 223    (80

US dollar/Canadian dollar

   (362 286    (76 (306 306    —      (287 295    8  (362 286    (76

US dollar/Chilean peso

   (156 155    1  (324 324    —      (109 102    (7 (156 155    1 

US dollar/Chinese yuan

   (201 249    48  (303 134    (169   (230 191    (39 (201 249    48 

US dollar/Colombian peso

   (287 219    (68 (319 195    (124   (278 272    (6 (287 219    (68

US dollar/Euro

   (80 78    (2 (157 145    (12   (108 113    5  (80 78    (2

US dollar/Mexican peso

   (1 151 1 082    (69 (1 143 873    (270   (1 105 903    (202 (1 151 1 082    (69

US dollar/Nigerian naira

   —     —      —    (172  —      (172

US dollar/Paraguayan guarani

   (177 166    (11 (108 108    —      (124 130    6  (177 166    (11

US dollar/Peruvian nuevo sol

   (157 149    (8 (255 154    (101   (243 205    (38 (157 149    (8

US dollar/Russian ruble

   —     —      —    (45 30    (15

US dollar/South African rand

   (80 83    3  (72 66    (6   (28 31    3  (80 83    3 

US dollar/South Korean won

   (114 128    14  (20 60    40    (88 99    11  (114 128    14 

US dollar/Ukrainian hryvnia

   —     —      —    (18  —      (18

US dollar/Uruguayan peso

   (40 41    1  (57 57    —      (41 41    —    (40 41    1 

Others

   (321 264    (57 (124 104    (20   (317 250    (67 (321 264    (57

Further analysis on the impact of open currency exposures is performed in the currency sensitivity analysis below.

Hedges of firm commitments and highly probable forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currency are designated as cash flow hedges.

Foreign exchange risk on foreign currency denominated debt

It is AB InBev’s policy for subsidiaries to issuehave the debt in itsthe subsidiaries as much as possible linked to the functional currency toof the subsidiary. To the extent possible. Where this is not the case, hedgingforeign exchange risk is put in placemanaged through the use of derivatives unless the cost to hedge outweighs the benefits. OnInterest rate decisions and currency mix of debt and cash are decided on a global basis the interest rate and debt profile as well astake into consideration the preferred currency mix are determined based on a holistic risk management approach.

A description of the foreign currency risk hedging of 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 analysis

Currency transactional risk

Most of AB InBev’snon-derivative financial instruments are either denominated in the functional currency of the subsidiary or are converted into the functional currency through the use of derivatives. Where illiquidity in the local

market prevents hedging at a reasonable cost, the company can have open positions. The transactional foreign currency risk mainly arises from open positions in Australian dollar,Mexican peso, Chinese yuan Colombian peso, Mexican peso,and Peruvian nuevo sol pound sterling, South African rand and South Korean won 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   2019 
  Closing rate
31 December 2018
   Possible
closing rate1
   Volatility
of rates in %
   Closing rate
31 December 2019
   Possible
closing rate1
   Volatility
of rates in %
 

Euro/Mexican peso

   22.54    19.21 - 25.86    14.75   21.17    19.28 - 23.06    8.92

Euro/Pound sterling

   0.89    0.84 - 0.95    6.03   0.85    0.79 - 0.91    7.35

Euro/South Korean won

   1277.14    1181.98 - 1372.3    7.45   1 297.02    1 216.94 - 1 377.10    6.17

Euro/US dollar

   1.15    1.06 - 1.23    7.32   1.12    1.07 - 1.18    4.69

Pound sterling/US dollar

   1.28    1.17 - 1.39    8.45   1.32    1.21 - 1.43    8.08

US dollar/Australian dollar

   1.42    1.30 - 1.54    8.50   1.42    1.33 - 1.52    6.70

US dollar/Chinese yuan

   6.88    6.57 - 7.18    4.45   6.96    6.62 - 7.30    4.86

US dollar/Colombian peso

   3246.70    2868.9 - 3624.5    11.64   3 272.63    2 935.33 - 3 609.92    10.31

US dollar/Euro

   0.87    0.81 - 0.94    7.32   0.89    0.85 - 0.93    4.69

US dollar/Mexican peso

   19.68    17.12 - 22.24    13.00   18.85    17.25 - 20.44    8.48

US dollar/Nigerian naira

   362.54    354.9 - 370.18    2.11   362.59    350.58 - 374.60    3.31

US dollar/Peruvian nuevo sol

   3.37    3.24 - 3.50    3.90   3.32    3.17 - 3.47    4.50

US dollar/South African rand

   14.37    11.96 - 16.79    16.82   14.04    12.26 - 15.83    12.74

US dollar/South Korean won

   1115.40    1029.1 - 1201.71    7.74   1 154.55    1 064.67 - 1 244.42    7.78

US dollar/Tanzanian shilling

   2298.32    2211.95 - 2384.69    3.76   2 300.14    2 186.57 - 2 413.71    4.94

US dollar/Zambian kwacha

   11.88    10.28 - 13.47    13.41   14.02    11.24 - 16.81    19.85
  2017 
  Closing rate
31 December 2017
   Possible
closing rate2
   Volatility
of rates in %
 

Euro/Mexican peso

   23.67    20.81 - 26.53    12.07

Euro/Pound sterling

   0.89    0.82 - 0.96    7.94

Euro/Russian ruble

   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

   33.66    30.39 - 36.93    9.72

Euro/US dollar

   1.20    1.11 - 1.28    7.12

Pound sterling/US dollar

   1.35    1.16 - 1.54    13.99

US dollar/Australian dollar

   1.28    1.18 - 1.38    7.50

US dollar/Chinese yuan

   6.51    6.15 - 6.86    5.45

US dollar/Colombian peso

   2 988.60    2 732.94 – 3 244.26    8.55

US dollar/Euro

   0.83    0.77 - 0.89    7.12

US dollar/Mexican peso

   19.74    17.45 - 22.02    11.59

US dollar/Nigerian naira

   360.03    284.18 - 435.87    21.07

US dollar/Peruvian nuevo sol

   3.24    3.11 - 3.38    4.19

US dollar/Russian ruble

   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

   1 067.63    921.4 –1 213.86    13.70

US dollar/Tanzanian shilling

   2 235.44    2 176.76 – 2 294.12    2.63

US dollar/Ukrainian hryvnia

   28.07    26.86 - 29.27    4.30

US dollar/Zambian kwacha

   9.98    8.91 - 11.05    10.72

   2018 
   Closing rate
31 December 2018
   Possible
closing rate2
   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

   1 277.14    1 181.98 - 1 372.3    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

   3 246.70    2 868.9 - 3 624.5    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

   1 115.40    1029.1 - 1 201.71    7.74

US dollar/Tanzanian shilling

   2 298.32    2 211.95 - 2 384.69    3.76

US dollar/Zambian kwacha

   11.88    10.28 - 13.47    13.41

Had the Australian dollar,Mexican peso, Chinese yuan, Colombian peso, Mexican peso, Peruvian nuevo sol pound sterling, South African rand and South Korean won weakened/strengthened during 20182019 by the above estimated changes against the euro or the US dollar, with all other variables held constant, the 20182019 impact on consolidated profit before taxes from continuing operations would have been approximately 76m35m US dollar (142m(76m US dollar in 2017; 112m2018; 142m US dollar in 2016)2017) higher/lower.

Additionally, the AB InBev sensitivity analysis1 to the foreign exchange rates on its total derivatives positions as of 31 December 2018,2019, shows a positive/negativepre-tax impact on equity reserves of 587m548m US dollar (639m(587m US dollar in 2017; 774m2018; 639m US dollar in 2016)2017).

Foreign exchange risk on net investments in foreign operations

AB InBev mitigates exposures of its investments in foreign operations using both derivative andnon-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 2018.2019.

2 

Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2017.2018.

As of 31 December 2019, designated derivative andnon-derivative financial instruments in net investment hedges amount to 15 522m US dollar equivalent (31 December 2018: 9 773m US dollar) in Holding companies and approximately 732m US dollar equivalent at Ambev level (31 December 2018: 632m US dollar). These instruments hedge foreign operations with Canadian dollar, Chinese yuan, Dominican peso, euro, Mexican peso, pound sterling, South African rand, South Korean won and US dollar functional currencies.

Net foreign exchange results

Foreign exchange results recognized on unhedged and hedged exposures are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018 restated   2017 restated 

Cash flow hedges

   —      (13   (53   —      —      (12

Economic hedges

   (210   (49   (36   6    (210   (49

Other results - not hedged

   216    (242   68 

Other results—not hedged

   (186   230    (242
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   6    (304   (21   (180   19    304 

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 the cost of funding and the volatility of financial results, while taking into account market conditions as well as AB InBev’s overall business strategy.

Fair value hedges

US dollar fixed rate bond hedges (interest rate risk on borrowings in US dollar)

The company manages and reduces 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 1.0 billion US dollar through fixed/floating interest rate swaps. These derivative instruments have been designated in a fair value hedge accounting relationship.

Cash flow hedges

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 500m pound sterling at a rate of 4.00% per year and maturing in September 2025. The impact of changes in the pound sterling exchange rate and interest rate on this 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.

Economic Hedges

Marketable debt security hedges (interest rate risk on Brazilian real)

During 2019, 2018 and 2017, Ambev invested in highly liquid Brazilian real denominated government debt securities. The company also entered into interest rate future contracts in order to offset the Brazilian real interest rate exposure of these government bonds. Both instruments are measured at fair value with changes recorded into profit or loss and no hedge accounting is required.

Interest rate sensitivity analysis

The table below reflects the effective interest rates of interest-bearing financial liabilities at balance sheet date as well as the currency in which the debt is denominated.

 

   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

   9.13  61    6.86  133 

Canadian dollar

   3.66  190    3.38  206 

Euro

   0.24  3 138    0.24  3 138 

US dollar

   1.94  1 399    2.21  2 638 

Other

   7.19  709    7.19  709 
   

 

 

    

 

 

 
    5 711     7 038 

Fixed rate

      

Australian dollar

   3.28  1 871    3.28  1 871 

Brazilian real

   6.74  138    5.79  66 

Canadian dollar

   3.23  1 904    3.23  1 904 

Euro

   1.76  27 465    1.61  35 292 

Pound sterling

   3.83  4 173    3.80  3 541 

South Korean won

   —     —      2.45  1 000 

US dollar

   4.28  68 570    4.66  59 120 

Other

   8.55  82    8.55  82 
   

 

 

    

 

 

 
    104 203     102 876 
   Before hedging   After hedging 

31 December 2019

Interest-bearing financial liabilities

Million US dollar

  Effective
interest rate
  Amount   Effective
interest rate
  Amount 

Floating rate

      

Australian dollar

   1.87  210    1.87  210 

Brazilian real

   9.33  43    9.33  43 

Euro

   0.08  4 214    0.08  4 214 

US dollar

   2.36  1 749    2.85  4 269 

Other

   9.82  225    4.46  954 
   

 

 

    

 

 

 
    6 441     9 690 

Fixed rate

      

Australian dollar

   3.71  1 647    3.71  1 647 

Brazilian real

   9.00  544    9.00  544 

Canadian dollar

   3.16  2 055    3.16  2 055 

Euro

   1.82  25 346    1.82  29 338 

Pound sterling

   3.82  4 373    3.79  3 713 

South Korean won

   3.37  15    2.46  1 015 

US dollar

   4.83  62 205    5.02  54 551 

Other

   7.31  416    6.95  489 
   

 

 

    

 

 

 
    96 601     93 352 

31 December 2017  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 Restated

  Effective
interest rate
 Amount   Effective
interest rate
 Amount 

Floating rate

            

Australian dollar

   2.68 234    2.68 234    2.95 214    2.95 214 

Brazilian real

   9.22 122    7.61 199    9.13 61    6.86 133 

Canadian dollar

   2.09 207    2.45 224    3.66 190    3.38 206 

Euro

   0.35 3 398    0.35 3 415    0.24 3 138    0.24 3 138 

South Africa rand

   8.00 666    8.00 666 

US dollar

   1.48 1 285    1.43 2 521    1.94 1 399    2.21 2 638 

Other

   16.68 450    16.68 450    7.19 709    7.19 709 
   

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

 
    6 362     7 709     5 711     7 038 

Fixed rate

            

Australian dollar

   3.70 1 838    3.70 1 838    3.22 1 951    3.22 1 951 

Brazilian real

   6.43 206    5.86 112    11.51 525    12.13 453 

Canadian dollar

   3.08 2 543    3.19 2 176    3.23 1 942    3.23 1 942 

Euro

   1.88 26 386    1.70 34 251    1.80 28 217    1.65 36 044 

Peruvian nuevo sol

   6.87 33    6.87 33 

Pound sterling

   3.83 4 403    3.80 3 734    3.82 4 218    3.79 3 586 

South Korean won

   —     —      2.50 1 000    —     —      2.45 1 000 

US dollar

   4.18 74 476    4.51 65 394    4.28 68 820    4.66 59 370 

Other

   3.36 252    2.36 252    8.43 311    8.43 311 
   

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

 
    110 137     108 790     105 984     104 656 

At 31 December 2018,2019, the total carrying amount of the floating and fixed rate interest-bearing financial liabilities before hedging as listed above includes bank overdrafts of 68m US dollar (31 December 2018: 114m US dollar.dollar).

As disclosed in the above table, 7 038m9 690m US dollar or 6.40%9.41% of the company’s interest-bearing financial liabilities bears interest at a variable 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:

 

  2018   2019 
  Interest rate
31 December 20181
 Possible
interest rate2
 Volatility
of rates in %
   Interest rate
31 December 20191
 Possible
interest rate2
 Volatility
of rates in %
 

Brazilian real

   6.44 6.12% - 6.76 5.00   4.42 3.32% - 5.52 24.88

Canadian dollar

   2.29 2.15% - 2.42% 5.91

Euro

   —     —    2.45   —     —    6.43

US dollar

   2.78 2.61% - 2.94 5.97   1.91 1.51% - 2.30 20.66

 

  2017   2018 
  Interest rate
31 December 20171
 Possible
interest rate2
 Volatility
of rates in %
   Interest rate
31 December 20181
 Possible
interest rate2
 Volatility
of rates in %
 

Brazilian real

   6.90 5.29% - 8.50 23.27   6.44 6.12% - 6.76 5.00

Canadian dollar

   1.54 1.38% - 1.71 10.72   2.29 2.15% - 2.42 5.91

Euro

   —     —    3.50   —     —    2.45

South African rand

   7.16 6.88% - 7.43 3.84

US dollar

   1.69 1.59% - 1.80 6.00   2.78 2.61% - 2.94 5.97

When AB InBev applies the reasonably possible increase/decrease in the market interest rates mentioned above on its floating rate debt at 31 December 2018,2019, with all other variables held constant, 20182019 interest expense would have been 8m16m US dollar higher/lower (2017: 12m(2018: 8m US dollar; 2016: 23m2017: 12m US dollar). This effect would be more than offset by (60m)(22m) US dollar higher/lower interest income on AB InBev’sinterest-bearing financial assets (2017: (81)(2018: (60)m US dollar; (53)2017: (81)m US dollar).

Interest expense

Interest expense recognized on unhedged and hedged financial liabilities are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018 restated   2017 restated 

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost – not hedged

   (4 053   (4 375   (4 119   (4 264   (4 053   (4 375

Fair value hedges

   (76   (11   (31   (46   (76   (11

Cash flow hedges

   22    1    (8   15    21    1 

Net investment hedges - hedging instruments (interest component)

   35    77    34    2    35    77 

Economic hedges

   100    (6   32    129    100    (7
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (3 972   (4 314   (4 092   (4 164   (3 973   (4 314

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 minimizemanage the exposure to commoditythe price volatility. The company hasmost significant commodity 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 ofas at 31 December 2018,2019 are included in the company has the following commodity derivativestable below (expressed in outstanding (in notional amounts):

Million US dollar

  2019   2018 

Aluminum swaps

   1 449    1 670 

Exchange traded sugar futures

   54    62 

Natural gas and energy derivatives

   256    313 

Corn swaps

   195    196 

Exchange traded wheat futures

   20    424 

Rice swaps

   328    194 

Plastic derivatives

   59    84 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2 360    2 943 

 

1 

Applicable3-month InterBank Offered Rates as of 31 December 20182019 and as of 31 December 2017.2018.

2 

Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 20182019 and at December 2017.2018. 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).

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 analysis

The impact of changes in the commodity prices would have an immaterial impact on AB InBev’s profit in 20182019 profits as most of the company’s commodity derivatives areexposure is hedged using derivative contracts and designated in a hedge accounting.accounting in accordance with IFRS 9 rules.

The tabletables below showsshow the estimated impact that changes in the price of the commodities, for which AB InBev held material derivative exposures at 31 December 2019 and 2018, would have on the equity reserves.

 

  2018   2019 
    Pre-tax impact on equity     Pre-tax impact on equity 

Million US dollar

  Volatility of
prices in %1
 Prices
increase
   Prices
decrease
   Volatility of
prices in %1
 Prices
increase
   Prices
decrease
 

Aluminum

   22.16 370    (370   21.78 312    (312

Sugar

   29.60 18    (18   29.73 16    (16

Wheat

   29.31 124    (124   30.30 6    (6

Energy

   23.83 74    (74   25.86 66    (66

Rice

   22.08 43    (43   22.64 47    (47

Corn

   23.85 47    (47   21.74 42    (42

Plastic

   20.54 17    (17   24.03 14    (14

 

  2017   2018 
    Pre-tax impact on equity     Pre-tax impact on equity 

Million US dollar

  Volatility of
prices in %2
 Prices
increase
   Prices
decrease
   Volatility of
prices in %2
 Prices
increase
   Prices
decrease
 

Aluminum

   14.83 212    (212   22.16 370    (370

Sugar

   29.38 26    (26   29.60 18    (18

Wheat

   30.99 158    (158   29.31 124    (124

Energy

   20.37 43    (43   23.83 74    (74

Rice

   20.20 45    (45  ��22.08 43    (43

Corn

   24.81 45    (45   23.85 47    (47

Plastic

   17.50 15    (15   20.54 17    (17

EQUITY PRICE RISK

AB InBev enters into derivatives to hedge the price risk on its shares when thissuch risk could negatively impact future cash flows related to the share-based payments programs. AB InBev also hedges its exposure arising from shares issued in connection with the Modelo and SAB combination (see also Note 11Finance cost and incomeandNote 23 Changes in equity and earnings per share). These derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting and the changes in fair value are recorded in the profit or loss.

As of 31 December 2018,2019, an exposure for an equivalent of 92.4m99.5m of AB InBev shares was hedged, resulting in a total lossgain of 3.51.8 billion US dollar recognized in the profit or loss account for the period, of which 1.8 billion898m US dollar related to the company’s share-based payment programs, 873m445m US dollar and 849m433m US dollar related to the Modelo and SAB transactions, respectively.

Between 2012 and 2018, AB InBev reset certain equity derivatives to market price with counterparties. This resulted in a net cash inflow of 2.9 billion US dollar between 2012 and 2018 and, accordingly, a decrease of counterparty risk.

Equity price sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity analysis on the share-based payments hedging program, calculated based on a 25.20% (2018: 22.03% (2017: 15.68%; 2016: 22.84%2017: 15.68%) reasonably possible volatility1 of the AB InBev share price, with all the other variables held constant, would show 1 345m2 066m US dollar positive/negative impact on the 20182019 profit before tax (2017:(2018: 1 345m US dollar; 2017: 1 422m US dollar; 2016: 2 236m US dollar).

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 through 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 mitigatepre-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, the company enters into derivative transactions with different financial institutions.

The company also has master netting agreements with all of the financial institutions that are counterparties to over the counter (OTC) 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 as at 31 December 20182019 to be limited.

1

Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2019.

2

Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2018.

Exposure to credit 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:

 

  2018   2017   2019   2018 

Million US dollar

  Gross   Impairment Net carrying
amount
   Gross   Impairment Net carrying
amount
   Gross   Impairment Net carrying
amount
   Gross   Impairment Net carrying
amount
 

Investment in unquoted companies

   91    (7 84    83    (7 76    92    (7 85    91    (7 84 

Investment in debt securities

   111    —    111    1 328    —    1 328    117    —    117    111    —    111 

Trade receivables

   4 400    (160 4 240    4 917    (194 4 723    4 219    (173 4 046    4 400    (160 4 240 

Cash deposits for guarantees

   197    —    197    209    —    209    219    —    219    197    —    197 

Loans to customers

   188    —    188    179    —    179    177    —    177    188    —    188 

Other receivables

   2 359    (106 2 253    2 326    (117 2 209    1 666    (103 1 563    2 359    (106 2 253 

Derivatives

   307    —    307    483    —    483    362    —    362    307    —    307 

Cash and cash equivalents

   7 074    —    7 074    10 472    —    10 472    7 238    —    7 238    7 074    —    7 074 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 
   14 727    (273  14 454    19 997    (318  19 679    14 090    (283  13 807    14 727    (273  14 454 

There was no significant concentration of credit risks with any single counterparty per 31 December 20182019 and no single customer represented more than 10% of the total revenue of the group in 2018.2019.

Impairment losses

The allowance for impairment recognized during the period per classes of financial assets was as follows:

 

   2019 

Million US dollar

  Trade receivables  Loans to
customers
   FVOCI  Other
receivables
  Total 

Balance at 1 January

   (160  —      (7  (106  (273

Impairment losses

   (51  —      —     (30  (81

Derecognition

   26   —      —     31   57 

Currency translation and other

   12   —      —     2   14 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December

   (173  —      (7  (103  (283

   2018 

Million US dollar

  Trade receivables  Loans to
customers
   FVOCI  Other
receivables
  Total 

Balance at 1 January

   (194  —      (7  (117  (318

Impairment losses

   (40  —      —     (3  (43

Derecognition

   29   —      —     6   35 

Currency translation and other

   44   —      —     9   53 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December

   (160  —      (7  (106  (273

 

   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 been cash flows from operating activities, the issuance of debt, bank borrowings and equity securities. AB InBev’s material cash requirements have included the following:

 

Debt servicing;

 

Capital expenditures;

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.

The company believes that cash flows from operating activities, available cash and cash equivalents as well as short term investments, along with related 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:

 

  31 December 2018   31 December 2019 

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

   (479 (496 (383 (39 (15 (27 (31   (861 (890 (795 (18 (18 (22 (37

Commercial papers

   (1 142 (1 142 (1 142  —     —     —     —      (1 599 (1 599 (1 599  —     —     —     —   

Unsecured bank loans

   (108 (135 (33 (6 (96  —     —      (185 (188 (140 (47 (1  —     —   

Unsecured bond issues

   (107 796 (165 979 (6 410 (9 146 (11 636 (23 672 (115 115   (98 206 (165 424 (5 513 (6 415 (6 518 (18 605 (128 373

Unsecured other loans

   (71 (110 (19 (22 (12 (12 (44   (98 (131 (27 (17 (9 (5 (73

Finance lease liabilities

   (204 (316 (62 (37 (33 (33 (151

Lease liabilities

   (2 025 (2 338 (404 (350 (243 (285 (1 056

Bank overdraft

   (114 (114 (114  —     —     —     —      (68 (68 (68  —     —     —     —   

Trade and other payables

   (24 345 (24 722 (22 557 (260 (1 060 (333 (513   (24 806 (25 152 (22 861 (1 227 (472 (165 (427
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   (134 258  (193 014  (30 720  (9 510  (12 852  (24 077  (115 855   (127 848  (195 790  (31 407  (8 074  (7 261  (19 082  (129 966

Derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

        

Derivative financial liabilities

        

Interest rate derivatives

   (84 (86 (39 (19 (8 11  (31   (102 (103 (7 (1 (1 3  (97

Foreign exchange derivatives

   (391 (401 (419 18   —     —     —      (600 (600 (600  —     —     —     —   

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   (456 (457 (13 113  129  (595 (90   (175 (187 75  (285 6  75  (58

Commodity derivatives

   (225 (225 (222 (3  —     —     —      (97 (97 (97  —     —     —     —   

Equity derivatives

   (4 877 (4 877 (4 877  —     —     —     —      (3 177 (3 177 (3 177  —     —     —    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   (6 033  (6 046  (5 570  109   121   (584  (121   (4 151  (4 164  (3 806  (286  5   78   (155

Of which: related to cash flow hedges

   (293 (303 (233 17  2  2  (90   (448 (448 (408 5  3  5  (53

 

  31 December 2017   31 December 2018 restated 

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
   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

   (502 (590 (318 (137 (23 (42 (70   (479 (496 (383 (39 (15 (27 (32

Commercial papers

   (1 870 (1 871 (1 871  —     —     —     —      (1 142 (1 142 (1 142  —     —     —     —   

Unsecured bank loans

   (892 (927 (761 (129 (37  —     —      (108 (135 (33 (6 (96  —     —   

Unsecured bond issues

   (112 837 (167 056 (8 951 (13 951 (12 908 (24 655 (106 591   (107 796 (165 979 (6 410 (9 146 (11 636 (23 672 (115 115

Unsecured other loans

   (68 (114 (17 (23 (13 (7 (54   (71 (110 (19 (22 (12 (12 (45

Finance lease liabilities

   (213 (301 (42 (42 (32 (40 (145

Lease liabilities

   (1 985 (2 591 (508 (391 (325 (467 (900

Bank overdraft

   (117 (117 (117  —     —     —     —      (114 (114 (114  —     —     —     —   

Trade and other payables

   (26 167 (26 628 (24 756 (476 (207 (289 (900   (24 345 (24 722 (22 557 (260 (1 060 (333 (512
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   (142 666  (197 604  (36 833  (14 758  (13 220  (25 033  (107 760   (136 040  (195 289  (31 166  (9 864  (13 144  (24 511  (116 604

Derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

        

Derivative financial liabilities

        

Interest rate derivatives

   (96 (101 (9 (21 (14 16  (73   (112 (142 (125 (19 (13 15   —   

Foreign exchange derivatives

   (61 (52 (59 7   —     —     —      (589 (589 (589  —     —     —     —   

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   (897 (1 043 65  (128 114  (904 (190   (489 (515 (29 72  71  (550 (79

Commodity derivatives

   179  143  139  4   —     —     —      (273 (273 (273  —     —     —     —   

Equity derivatives

   (1 036 (1 134 (1 134  —     —     —     —      (4 877 (4 877 (4 877  —     —     —     —   
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   (1 911  (2 187  (998  (138  100   (888  (263   (6 340  (6 396  (5 893  53   58   (535  (79

Of which: related to cash flow hedges

   (20 (29 64  5  2  4  (104   (486 (490 (416 2  1  2  (79

1

“Carrying amount” refers to net book value as recognized in the balance sheet at each reporting date.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

AB InBev continuously optimizes its capital structure to maximize shareholder value while keeping the 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. The management uses the same debt/equity classifications as applied in the company’s IFRS reporting to analyze the capital structure.

1

“Carrying amount” refers to net book value as recognized in the balance sheet at each reporting date.

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

  31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2018
 31 December
2017
 31 December
2018
 31 December
2017
   31 December
2019
   31 December
2018
   31 December
2019
 31 December
2018
 31 December
2019
 31 December
2018
 

Foreign currency

                  

Forward exchange contracts

   191    151    (586 (211 (395 (60   112    191    (590 (586 (478 (395

Foreign currency futures

   7    1    (3 (2 4  (1   7    7    (9 (3 (2 4 

Interest rate

                  

Interest rate swaps

   9   ��14    (27 (37 (18 (23   18    9    (6 (27 12  (18

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   32    9    (489 (906 (457 (897   157    32    (175 (489 (18 (457

Other interest rate derivatives

   20    —      (86 (73 (66 (73   —      20    (97 (86 (97 (66

Commodities

                  

Aluminum swaps

   23    178    (172 (5 (149 173    15    23    (61 (172 (46 (149

Sugar futures

   —      24    (8 (20 (8 4    2    —      (2 (8  —    (8

Wheat futures

   13    34    (11 (22 2  12    14    13    (9 (11 5  2 

Energy

   4    —      (54  —    (50  —      8    4    (11 (54 (3 (50

Other commodity derivatives

   8    10    (28 (20 (20 (10   13    8    (14 (28 (1 (20

Equity

                  

Equity derivatives

   —      21    (4 877 (1 057 (4 877 (1 036   17    —      (3 177 (4 877 (3 160 (4 877
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   307    442    (6 340  (2 353  (6 033  (1 911   362    307    (4 151  (6 340  (3 789  (6 033

Of which:

                  

Non-current

   10    25    (805 (937 (795 (912   132    10    (352 (805 (220 (795

Current

   297    417    (5 535 (1 416 (5 238 (999   230    297    (3 799 (5 535 (3 569 (5 238

The following table summarizes the carrying amount and the fair value of the fixed rate interest-bearing financial liabilities as recognized at the balance sheet. Floating rate interest-bearing financial liabilities, trade and other receivables and trade and other payables, including derivatives financial instruments, have been excluded from the analysis as their carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of their fair value:

 

Interest-bearing financial liabilities

Million US dollar

  2018
Carrying amount1
   2018
Fair value
   2017
Carrying amount1
   2017
Fair value
 

Fixed rate

        

Australian dollar

   (1 871   (1 927   (1 838   (1 896

Brazilian real

   (138   (138   (206   (206

Canadian dollar

   (1 904   (1 817   (2 543   (2 574

Euro

   (27 465   (26 799   (26 386   (26 942

Peruvian nuevo sol

   (24   (24   (33   (33

Pound sterling

   (4 173   (4 320   (4 403   (4 902

US dollar

   (68 570   (65 873   (74 476   (83 482

Other

   (58   (58   (252   (252
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (104 203   (100 956   (110 137   (120 287

The table sets out the fair value hierarchy based on the degree to which significant market inputs are observable:

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 

Interest-bearing financial liabilities

Million US dollar

  2019
Carrying
amount1
   2019
Fair value
   2018 restated
Carrying amount1
   2018 restated
Fair value
 

Fixed rate

        

Australian dollar

   (1 647   (1 748   (1 951)   (1 977

Brazilian real

   (544   (542   (525   (525

Canadian dollar

   (2 055   (2 046   (1 942   (1 855

Euro

   (25 346   (30 365   (28 217   (27 551

Pound sterling

   (4 373   (4 816   (4 218   (4 365

US dollar

   (62 205   (74 035   (68 820   (66 123

Other

   (431   (431   (311   (311
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (96 601   (113 983)   (105 984   (102 707

 

 

1 

“Carrying amount” refers to net book value as recognized in the balance sheet at each reporting date.

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 

NON-DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL LIABILITIESThe table sets out the fair value hierarchy based on the degree to which significant market inputs are observable:

Fair value hierarchy 31 December 2019

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)

   2    9    —   

Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

   —      119    —   

Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

   17    153    —   

Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

   —      19    —   

Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

   —      54    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   19    354   

Financial Liabilities

      

Deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value

   —      —      1 639 

Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

   —      3 441    —   

Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

   21    586    —   

Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

   —      103    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   21    4 130    1 639 

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 

Non-derivative financial liabilities

As part of the 2012 shareholders agreement between Ambev and 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 option) iswas put 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 2018,2019, the put option foron the remaining shares held by ELJ was valued 632 million US dollar (2017: 1.7at 0.7 billion US dollar before(31 December 2018: 0.6 billion US dollar after the exercise of the put option by ELJ in January 2018)ELJ) and recognized as a deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value in the “level 3” category above. The variance is mainly explained by the partial exercise by ELJ of the put option, accretion expenses and currency translation. The fair value of such deferred consideration is calculated based on using present value techniques, namely by discounting futures cash flows at the appropriate rate.

HEDGING RESERVES

The company’s hedging reserves disclosed in noteNote 23 relate to the following instruments:

 

Million US dollar

  Foreign currency Interest rate   Commodities Others   Total hedging
reserves
   Foreign currency Commodities Others   Total hedging
reserves
 

As per 1 January 2018

   559   —      (20  47    586 

As per 1 January 2019

   480   (60  76    494 

Change in fair value of hedging instrument recognized in OCI

   262   —      97   —      358    92  16   —      107 

Reclassified to profit or loss / cost of inventory

   (341  —      (137 26    (452   (398 162  32    (204

Deferred tax

   —     —      —    2    2    —     —     —      —   
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

As per 31 December 2018

   480   —      (60  76    494 

As per 31 December 2019

   174   117   107    397 

 

Million US dollar

  Foreign currency Interest rate   Commodities Others   Total hedging
reserves
   Foreign currency Commodities Others   Total hedging
reserves
 

As per 1 January 2017

   540   —      204   —      744 

As per 1 January 2018

   559   (20  47    586 

Change in fair value of hedging instrument recognized in OCI

   (61  —      (22  —      (83   262  97   —      358 

Reclassified to profit or loss / cost of inventory

   80   —      (202 47    (75   (341 (137 26    (452

Deferred tax

   —     —      —     —      —      —     —    2    2 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

As per 31 December 2017

   559   —      (20  47    586 

As per 31 December 2018

   480   (60  76    494 

OFFSETTING FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following financial assets and liabilities are subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting agreements and similar agreements:

 

  31 December 2018   31 December 2019 

Million US dollar

  Gross
amount
   Net amount
recognized in the
statement of
financial position1
   Other offsetting
agreements2
   Total net amount   Gross
amount
   Net amount
recognized in the
statement of
financial position1
   Other offsetting
agreements2
   Total net amount 

Derivative assets

   307    307    (293   13    362    362    (352   10 

Derivative liabilities

   (6 340   (6 340   293    (6 046   (4 151   (4 151   352    (3 799

 

   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

 

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

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

   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

30. Operating leases

Non-cancelable operatingThe company leases are payable and receivable as follows:

   2018 

Million US dollar

  Lessee   Sublease   Lessor   Net lease obligations 

Within one year

   (475   149    3    (323

Between one and five years

   (1 237   451    9    (777

After five years

   (771   211    6    (554
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   (2 483   811    18    (1 654
   2017 

Million US dollar

  Lessee   Sublease   Lessor   Net lease obligations 

Within one year

   (210   127    2    (181

Between one and five years

   (1 009   425    7    (577

After five years

   (781   211    4    (566
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   (2 100   763    13    (1 324

Following the sale of Dutch and Belgianout pub real estate to Cofinimmo in October 2007, AB InBev entered into lease agreements of 27 years. These operating leases mature in November 2034 and are subleased for an average outstanding period of 6 to 8 years. These leases can be subject to renewal after their expiration date. The impactyears and part of such renewal is not reported in the table above.

Furthermore, the company leases a number of warehouses, trucks, factory facilities and other commercial buildingsits own property under operating leases. The leases typically run for a periodfollowing table sets out the maturity analysis of fivethenon-cancelable lease payments, showing the undiscounted lease payments to ten years. Lease payments are increased annually to reflect market rentals, if applicable. None of the leases include contingent rentals.be received:

The operating leases listed above represent an undiscounted obligation of 2 483m US dollar. Also, the company has sublet some of the leased pubs and properties, representing an undiscounted right of 811m US dollar.

Million US dollar

  31 December
2019
   31 December
2018 restated
 

Within one year

   155    152 

Between one and five years

   518    460 

After five years

   215    217 

Total

   888    829 

In 2018, 512m US dollar was recognized as an expense in the income statement in respect of operating leases where the company is the lessee (2017: 471m US dollar; 2016: 272m US dollar), while 133m2019, 152m US dollar was recognized as income in the income statement in respect of subleases (2017:subleasing ofright-of-use assets (2018: 133m US dollar; 2017: 128m US dollar; 2016: 117m US dollar).

The company also leases out part of its own property under operating leases. In 2018, 3m US dollar was recognized as income in the income statement in respect of operating leases as lessor (2017: 4m US dollar; 2016: 10m US dollar).

31.

Collateral and contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, loans to customers and other

 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2019   2018 restated 

Collateral given for own liabilities

   404    426    372    404 

Collateral and financial guarantees received for own receivables and loans to customers

   335    326 

Contractual commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment

   416    550    457    416 

Contractual commitments to acquire loans to customers

   171    16    151    171 

Other commitments

   
1
973
 
 
   
1
834
 
 
   1 911    1 973 

The collateral given for own liabilities of 404m372m US dollar at 31 December 20182019 contains 197m219m 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 (204m(153m US dollar) contains collateral on AB InBev’s property 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 335m US dollar at 31 December 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 416m457m US dollar at 31 December 2018.2019.

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 171m151m US dollar at 31 December 2018.2019.

As at 31 December 2018,2019, 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 2019, the put option for the remaining shares held by ELJ was valued 732 million US dollar (2018: 632 million US dollar). 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.

Upon the combination with SAB, AB InBev maintained South African Breweries’ Zenzele share-scheme which supports broad-based black economic empowerment(B-BBEE) and provides opportunities for black South Africans (including employees and SAB retailers) to participate as shareholders. The Zenzele share-scheme originally implemented by SAB in 2010, was amended at the time of the SAB combination and will expire in April 2020. The obligations that arise under the Zenzele share-scheme upon its expiration will be settled using AB InBev Treasury shares. The obligation is estimated to be approximately 9.8 billion ZAR (0.7 billion USD1). The number of AB InBev shares required to settle the obligation will depend on the AB InBev share price and ZAR to Euro exchange rate at the time of the settlement. The settlement would be equivalent to 8.5 million AB InBev shares assuming AB InBev share price and the ZAR Euro exchange rate as at 31 December 20192.

As part of the 2012 shareholders agreement between AmbevSAB transaction, AB InBev made a commitment to the South African Government and E. León Jimenes S.A.(“ELJ”),Competition Authorities to create a newB-BBEE scheme upon maturity in 2020 of SAB’s current Zenzele Scheme. In order to create the newB-BBEE scheme the 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 2018, the put option for the remaining shares held by ELJ was valued 632 million US dollar (2017: 1.7 billion US 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 29 Risks arising from financial instruments.steps will be undertaken:

 

On 11 October 2016,The new scheme will be implemented through the listing of a NewCo (which will be called Zenzele Kabili) on the Johannesburg Stock ExchangeB-BBEE Exchange;

The NewCo will hold unencumbered AB InBev was notifiedshares;

Existing Zenzele participants (employees, retailers and the SAB Foundation) will be given an option to reinvest a portion of their Zenzele payout into the Newco;

A new Employee Share Plan, funded by The Coca-Cola Company of its intention to transition AB InBev’s stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (“CCBA”). 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 continue to work towards finalizing the terms and conditionssubscribe for The Coca-Cola Company to acquire AB InBev’s interest in the bottling operations in Zimbabwe and Lesotho. These transactions are subject to the relevant regulatory and shareholder approvals in the different jurisdictions.NewCo shares.

The new scheme is estimated to require 4.4 billion ZAR (0.3 billion USD1) in facilitation and notional vendor funding. The settlement would be equivalent to 3.8 million AB InBev shares assuming AB InBev share price and the ZAR Euro exchange rate as at 31 December 20192and it will be funded with AB InBev Treasury shares. This scheme arrangement meets the criteria under IFRS 2 to be classified as equity settled.

Other commitments amount to 1 973m911m US dollar at 31 December 20182019 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 2030 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 2018, 202019, 28.9 million loaned securities were used to fulfil stock option plan commitments.

1

Converted at the December 2019 closing rate.

2

Assuming the December 2019 closing share price of 72.71 euro per share and 31 December 2019 ZAR per Euro exchange rate of 15.777300.

32.

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 InBevInBev’s management cannot at this stage estimate the likely timing of resolution of these matters. The most significant contingencies are discussed below.

AMBEV TAX MATTERS

As of 31 December 2018,2019, AB InBev’s material tax proceedings are related to Ambev and its subsidiaries. Estimates of amounts of possible loss are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  31 December 20182019   31 December 20172018 

Income tax and social contribution

   9 77310 781    600773 

Value-added and excise taxes

   6 1665 514    5 9876 166 

Other taxes

   1 434018    1 390434 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   17 373313    16 97717 373 

The most significant tax proceedings of Ambev are discussed below.

INCOME TAX AND SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION

DuringForeign Earnings

Since 2005, Ambev and certain of its subsidiaries of Ambev receivedhave been receiving assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to the profits of its foreign subsidiaries. In December 2008,The cases are being challenged at both the Administrative Court rendered aadministrative and judicial levels of the courts in Brazil.

The administrative proceedings have resulted in partially favorable decisiondecisions, which are still subject to Ambev, and in connection withreview by the remaining part, Ambev filed an appeal to the Administrative Upper House, which was denied in full in March 2017. In September 2017, Ambev filed a judicial proceeding for this tax assessment and requested a motion of injunction, which was granted to Ambev. In 2013, 2016, 2017 and 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.administrative court. In the other case,judicial proceedings, Ambev is analyzing possible appeals. In October 2018,has received favorable injunctions that suspend the Lower Administrative Court rendered a partially favorable decision to Ambev in anotherenforceability of the ongoing tax assessments. Ambev is waitingcredit, as well as favorable first level decisions, which remain subject to be formally notified of such decision to analyze possible appeals. review by the second-level judicial court.

As of 31 December 2018,2019, Ambev management estimates the exposure of approximately 7.77.2 billion Brazilian real (2.0(1.8 billion US dollar) as a possible risk and approximately 46m52m Brazilian real (12m(13m US dollar) as a probable loss.

Goodwill InBev Holding

In December 2011, Ambev received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization resulting from the InBev Holding Brasil S.A. merger with Ambev. The final decision rendered by the Lower Administrative Court was partially favorable to Ambev. Subsequently, Ambev filed a judicial proceeding to discuss the unfavorable partportion of the decision and requested a motion ofan injunction which was granted to Ambev to suspend enforceability. Regarding the portion of the decision subject to review at the administrative level, in August 2019 the Upper Administrative House rendered a partially favorable decision to Ambev. The favorable portionAmbev is awaiting the issuance of the decision in order to Ambev, will be reexamined byfile the Administrative Upper House. applicable appeal.

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 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 notifiedCourt. In May 2019, Ambev filed a Special Appeal for analysis of the decisioncase by the Upper Administrative House. In November 2019, the Special Appeal was partially admitted by the Upper Administrative House and Ambev filed an appeal related to analyze possible appeals. the portion that was not admitted.

Ambev management estimates possible losses in relation to these assessments to be approximately 9.310 billion Brazilian real (2.4(2.5 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019. 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.

Goodwill Beverage Associate Holding (BAH)

In October 2013, Ambev 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 Courtcourt was unfavorable to Ambev. After considering a motion to clarify by Ambev, the unfavorable decision was confirmed and Ambev filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court.Court against the decision. In November 2018, Ambev received a partially favorable decision at the Lower Administrative CourtCourt. Ambev submitted counterarguments responding to the special appeal filed by the tax authorities and, is currently waiting to be formally notifiedregarding the unfavorable part of the decision, filed a special appeal to analyze possible appeals. the Administrative Upper House. In December 2019, the Special Appeal was partially admitted by the Administrative Upper House and Ambev filed an appeal related to the portion that was not admitted.

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 bydefenses. In April 2019, the first administrative level. First Administrative Court rendered unfavorable decisions to Ambev. As a result thereof, Ambev appealed to the Lower Administrative Court. In November and December 2019, Ambev received partially favorable decisions at the Lower Administrative Court. Ambev is awaiting the results of the remaining decisions in order to file the applicable appeals.

Ambev management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately 2.12.2 billion Brazilian real (0.5(0.6 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

Goodwill CND Holdings

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 unfavorableThe decision from the firstfirst-level administrative level and filledcourt was unfavorable to Ambev. Ambev filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court which is currently pending.pending analysis. 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 2018.2019. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

1

Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the closing rate of the respective period.

Tax Loss Offset

Ambev and certain of its subsidiaries received a number of assessments from the Brazilian federal tax authorities relating to the offset of tax losslosses carry forward arising in the context of business combinations.

In February 2016, the Administrative Upper House ruled unfavorably to Ambev in two such cases. Ambev filed judicial proceedings to discuss the matter. In September 2016, Ambev received a favorable first level decision in one of the judicial claims. Inclaims, and in March 2017, Ambev received an unfavorable first levelfirst-level decision in another case and filed an appeal to the judicial Court.other case. Both cases are now awaiting analysis by the second-level judicial Court. court. The other cases are being challenged at the administrative level and are still awaiting final decisions.

Ambev management estimates the total exposuresexposure of possible losslosses in relation to these assessments to be approximately 0.5 billion Brazilian real (0.1 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019.

Disallowance of financial expenses

In December 2015 and 2016, Ambev received tax assessments related to the disallowance of allegednon-deductible expenses and the deduction of certain losses mainly associated to financial investments and loans. Ambev presented defenses which areand, in November 2019, received a favorable decision at the first-level administrative court regarding the 2016 case. The 2015 case is still pending reviewdecision by the firstfirst-level administrative level. court.

Ambev management estimates the amount of possible losslosses in relation to thosethese assessments to be approximately 4.64.8 billion Brazilian real (1.2 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection with these assessments.

Disallowance of tax paid abroad

Since 2014, Ambev has been receiving tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities related to the disallowance of deductions associated with alleged unproven taxes paid abroad by its subsidiaries and has been filing defenses. The cases are being challenged at the administrative level. In November 2019, the Lower Administrative Court rendered a favorable decision to Ambev in one of the cases, which became definitive. In January 2020, the Lower Administrative Court rendered unfavorable decisions regarding four of these assessments (from 2015 and 2016). Ambev management estimates the total amount of possible losses in relation to these four assessments to be approximately 3.6 billion Brazilian real (0.9 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2019. Ambev is awaiting for whichformal notification of these decisions to file the decision from the Administrative Upper House isapplicable appeals. The other cases are still pending.waiting final decisions. In September 2017, Ambev decided to include part of thosethese 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 2018,2019, Ambev management estimates the exposure of approximately 9.510.1 billion Brazilian real (2.5 billion US dollar) as a possible risk, and accordingly has not recorded a provision for such 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 profitprofits instead of the “real profit” method. In September 2017, Arosuco received thean unfavorable first level administrative decision and filed an appeal toappeal. In January 2019, the Lower Administrative Court.Court rendered a favorable decision to Arosuco, which became definitive.

In March 2019, Ambev received a new tax assessment regarding the same subject and filed a defense. In October 2019, Arosuco received an unfavorable first level administrative decision and filed an appeal. Arosuco management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately 0.60.5 billion Brazilian real (0.2(0.1 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Arosuco has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

Deductibility of IOC expenses

In November 2019, Ambev received a tax assessment from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities related to the interest on capital (“IOC”) deduction in 2014. The questions refer primarily to the accounting and effects of the corporate restructuring carried out by the company in 2013 and its impact on the increase in the deductibility of IOC expenses. Ambev filed an administrative defense and is awaiting a decision by the first-level administrative court.

The company distributed IOC in the years following the assessed period. Accordingly, if the IOC deductibility is also questioned in the future, on the same basis as the aforementioned tax assessment notice, the company estimates that the conclusion of the discussion is similar to the present case, and therefore maintained the effect of the deductibility of IOC expenses in the effective income tax rate.

As of 31 December 2019, Ambev management estimates the exposure of approximately 3.9 billion Brazilian real (1 billion US dollar) as a possible risk, and accordingly has not recorded a provision for such amount.

ICMS VALUE ADDED TAX, IPI EXCISE TAX (“IPI”) AND TAXES ON NET SALES

Manaus Free Trade Zone – IPI / Social contributions

In Brazil, goods manufactured within the Manaus Free Trade Zone intended for remittance elsewhere in Brazil are exempt and/ orzero-ratedfrom 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.(“IPI”) and social contributions. With respect to IPI, Ambev’s subsidiaries have been registering IPI excise tax presumed credits upon the acquisition of exempted goods manufactured therein and are discussing the matter at the courts.therein. Since 2009, Ambev has been receiving a number of tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to the disallowance of such credits.

Ambev has also been receiving charges from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities in relation to (i) federal taxes allegedly unduly offset with the disallowed presumed IPI excise tax credits that are under discussion in these proceedings and other(ii) amounts allegedly due under social contribution over Arosuco’s remittance.

In April 2019, the Federal Supreme Court (“STF”) announced its judgment on Extraordinary Appeal No. 592.891/SP, with binding effects, deciding on the rights of taxpayers registering IPI excise tax presumed credits whichon acquisitions of raw materials and exempted inputs originating from the Manaus Free Trade Zone. As a result of this decision, Ambev reclassified part of the amounts related to the IPI cases as remote losses maintaining as possible losses only issues related to other additional discussions that were not included in the analysis of the STF. The cases are under discussion beforebeing challenged at both the Brazilian Supreme Court, with a trial expected to occur in April 2019. administrative and judicial levels.

Ambev management estimates the possible loss related to these assessments to be approximately 3.84.2 billion Brazilian real (1.0 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019. 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 allegedly unduly offset with the disallowed presumed IPI excise tax credits which are under discussion in the abovementioned proceedings. Ambev is challenging these charges before the courts. Ambev management estimates the possible loss related to these assessments 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.Suspension

In 2014 and 2015, Ambev received tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to charge the IPI excise tax supposedly(“IPI”) allegedly due over remittances of manufactured goods to other related factories. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels of the courts. levels.

Ambev management estimates the possible loss related to these assessments to be approximately 1.61.7 billion Brazilian real (0.4 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

ICMS tax credits

Ambev is currently challenging tax assessments issued by the Statesstates of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and other Statesamong others, questioning the legality of ICMS tax credits arising from transactions with companies that have tax incentives.incentives granted by other states. 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 2.12 billion Brazilian real (0.5 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

In 2013, 2014 and 2015, Ambev was assessed by the States of Pará, and Piauí to charge the ICMS supposedly due with respect to unconditional discounts granted by Ambev. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial level of the courts. Ambev management estimates the possible loss involved in these proceedings to be approximately 0.6 billion Brazilian real (0.2 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.ICMS-ST Trigger

Over the years, Ambev has received tax assessments to charge supposed ICMS differences considered due when the price of the products sold by Ambev 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 the courts. Among other similarThe cases Ambev received three assessments issued byare being challenged at both the State of Minas Gerais in the original amount of 1.4 billion Brazilian real (0.4 billion US dollar). In the first quarter of 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 casesadministrative and Ambev filed defenses with the judicial courts. In 2017, Ambev received assessments from the 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. levels.

Ambev management estimates the total possible loss related to this issue to be approximately 7.7 billion Brazilian real (2.0(1.9 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Ambev has recorded provisions in the total amount of 8m Brazilian real (2m US dollar) in relation to certain proceedings for which it considers the chances of loss to be probable due to specific procedural issues.

ICMS – PRODEPE

In 2015, Ambev received a tax assessment issued by the State of Pernambuco to charge ICMS differences due to an allegednon-compliance with the Statestate tax incentive Agreementagreement (“PRODEPE”) as a result of the rectification of its monthly reports. The Statestate 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.PRODEPE. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to this issue to be approximately 0.6 billion Brazilian real (0.2(0.1 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019. Ambev has recorded a provision in the total amount of 3m5m Brazilian real (1m US dollar) in relation to one proceeding it considers the chances of loss to be partially probable.

SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Since 2015, Ambev has received some tax assessments issued by the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to amounts allegedly due under Integration Program / Social Security Financing Levy (PIS/(PIS / COFINS) over bonus products granted to its customers. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels of the Courts. courts. In 2019, Ambev received final favorable decisions at the administrative level in some of these cases and favorable decisions in other casese that are still subject to review. At the judicial level, the case is still in the initial stage.

Ambev management estimates the possible loss related to these assessments to be approximately 4.02.3 billion Brazilian real (1.0(0.6 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018.2019. No related provision has been made.

GRUPO MODELO TAX MATTERS

Dirección de Fábricas (“DIFA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cervecería Modelo de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., received a tax assessment related to alleged taxable income for some intercompany transactions. DIFA presented defenses which are pending to be reviewed by the tax authorities. The company estimates the amount of possible loss in relation to this assessment to be approximately 0.3 billion US dollar. The company has not recorded any provision in connection therewith as of 31 December 2019.

AB INBEV’S AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS TAX MATTERS

AB InBev’s subsidiary SAB Australia Pty Limired received a tax assessment for the 2012 to 2014 income tax years for 0.3 billion Australian dollar (0.2 billion US dollar) related to the interest deductions of SAB’s acquisition of the Foster’s group (the “Foster’s acquisition”). The subsidiary is disputing the 2012 to 2014 assessment and remains confident of the positions it has adopted. The company paid 47 million US dollar related to the tax assessment pending conclusion of the matter and recorded a provision of 0.1 billion US dollar in connection therewith as of 31 December 2019.

The Australian tax authorities have also notified the company that it has commenced an audit of the 2015 to 2020 income tax years. The focus of the audit is the tax treatment of the ongoing funding arrangements associated with the Foster’s acquisition.

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. On 14 February 2019, the European General Court concluded that the Belgian excess profit ruling system does not constitute illegal state aid. The appeals do not suspendEuropean Commission has appealed the recovery process, andjudgment to the European Court of Justice. Pending the outcome of that appeal, the European Commission opened new state aid investigations into the individual Belgian tax rulings, including the one issued to AB InBev in September 2019, to remedy the concerns that led to annulment of its earlier decision by the General Court. These investigations relate to the same rulings that were subject to the European Commission decision issued on 11 January 2016. 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-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 2018.2019.

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.instance which ruled in favor of AB InBev on 21 June 2019. The Belgian tax authorities appealed this judgment. 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 2018.2019.

On 24In January 2019, AB InBev deposited 68m EUReuro (76m US dollar) 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 0.91.0 billion Brazilian real (0.2(0.25 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 theseThese five cases are pending final judgment by STJ’s Special Court. In November 2017,Court and the Federal Public Prosecutor filledhas filed a motion favorable to Ambev’s position in one of theall five cases. Considering all of these facts, the companyAmbev and its external counsels strongly believe that the chance of loss in these cases is remote.

ANTITRUST MATTERSUNITED STATES CLASS ACTION SUIT

On 21 June 2019, a proposed class action was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against AB InBev and three of its officers. The complaint alleges claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule10b-5 thereunder on behalf of a proposed class of purchasers of AB InBev American Depositary Shares between 1 March 2018 and 24 October 2018. The plaintiff alleges that defendants misstated or omitted material facts regarding, among other things, the company’s financial condition, its dividend policy and the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory damages and reimbursement for litigation expenses. An amended complaint filed on 12 December 2014, a lawsuit was commenced in2019 contained substantially the Ontario Superior Courtsame allegations, but reduced the number 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 pursuantdefendant officers 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 5m Canadian dollar (4m US dollar) and changes/repeals of the affected legislation. In March 2018, the court granted summary judgment and dismissed the class claims. The plaintiffs have appealed.two. The company has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

In 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. In connection with these ongoing proceedings, AB InBev made a provision of 230m US dollar.provision.

33.
33.

Non-controlling interests

As ofat 31 December 2019 and 2018, and 2017, materialnon-controlling interests relate to Ambev, a Brazilian listed subsidiary in which AB InBev has 62%61.85% ownership, and Budweiser APAC, an Asia Pacific listed subsidiary in which AB InBev has 87.22% ownership. The tables below provide summarized information of Ambev’s auditedderived from the consolidated financial statements as of Ambev and Budweiser APAC as of 31 December 20182019 and 2017,2018, in accordance with IFRS.

Summarized financial information of Ambev and Budweiser APAC, in which the company has materialnon-controlling interests, is as follows:

 

  Ambev   Budweiser APAC 

Million US dollar

  31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   2019   2018 restated   2019   20181 

Summarized balance sheet information

            

Current assets

   6 537    7 472    6 853    6 537    2 108    2 680 

Non-current assets

   17 755    18 783    18 389    18 165    13 200    13 182 

Current liabilities

   6 408    8 672    6 205    6 506    4 493    4 468 

Non-current liabilities

   3 032    3 078    3 517    3 368    931    1 222 

Equity attributable to equity holders

   14 540    13 908    15 203    14 516    9 836    10 153 

Non-controlling interests

   312    597    317    311    48    19 

 

  Ambev Budweiser APAC 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016   2019 2018
restated
 2017
restated
 2019 20181 20171 

Summarized income statement and comprehensive income information

      

Summarized income statement and other comprehensive income information

       

Revenue

   13 819    14 961    13 123    13 347  13 819  14 961  6 546  6 740  6 099 

Net income

   3 130    2 452    3 765    3 093  3 122  2 422  908  959  572 

Attributable to:

             

Equity holders

   3 033    2 290    3 611    2 989  3 025  2 260  898  958  574 

Non-controlling interests

   97    162    155    104  97  162  10  1  (2

Net income

   3 130    2 452    3 765    3 093  3 122  2 422  908  959  572 

Other comprehensive income

   629    809    (1 534   (193 629  809  (229 (500 926 

Total comprehensive income

   3 759    3 261    2 231    2 900  3 751  3 231  679  459  1 498 

Attributable to:

             

Equity holders

   3 629    3 090    2 190    2 801  3 620  3 060  665  458  1 500 

Non-controlling interests

   130    171    41    99  130  171  14  1  (2

Summarized cash flow information

             

Cash flow from operating activities

   4 928    5 583    3 552    4 664  5 089  5 754  1 338  1 684  1 331 

Cash flow from investing activities

   (1 011   (960   (1 697   (1 228 (1 011 (960 (693 (472 (532

Cash flow from financing activities

   (3 638   (4 018   (3 351   (3 117 (3 799 (4 190 (1 358 (1 237 (187

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   279    605    (1 496   319  279  605  (713 (25 612 

Dividends paid by Ambev tonon-controlling interests (i.e. to entities outside the AB InBev Group) amounted to 0.7 billion US dollar, 0.8 billion US dollar and 1.1 billion US dollar for 2019, 2018 and 1.2 billion US dollar for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Othernon-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 asnon-controlling interests recognized in respect of the company’s subsidiaries in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

34. Related parties

Transactions with directors and Executive board OF Management Members

1

2018 and 2017 reflect the combined financial information that presents the historical financial information of the business of the Asia Pacific region of AB InBev, excluding Australia, and includes the assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and cash flows attributable to all entities in the region, which are primarily in China, South Korea, India, Vietnam and Japan.

34.

Related parties

TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS (KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL)

In addition to short-term employee benefits (primarily salaries) AB InBev’s Executive Board of ManagementCommittee members were entitled in 20182019 to post-employment benefits. In particular, members of the Executive Board of ManagementCommittee 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 (see Note 26Share-based Payments). Total directors and Executive Board of ManagementCommittee compensation included in the income statement can be detailed as follows:

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Million US dollar

  Directors   Executive Board
of Management
   Directors   Executive Board
of Management
   Directors   Executive Board
of Management
   Directors   Executive
Committee
   Directors   Executive
Committee
   Directors   Executive
Committee
 

Short-term employee benefits

   2    27    2    28    2    18    2    17    2    27    2    28 

Post-employment benefits

   —      —      —      1    —      —   

Termination benefits

   —      1    —      —      —      1 

Share-based payments

   —      24    3    68    3    64    —      22    —      24    3    68 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   2    52    5    97    5    82   2   40   2   52   5   97 

Directors’ compensation consists mainly of directors’ fees.

During 2018,2019, 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 1.0m2m US dollar from a company in which one of the company’s Board Member had significant influence as of 31 December 2018.2019 (2018: 1m US dollar; 2017: 1m US dollar).

 

The acquisition, mainly through its subsidiary Bavaria S.A., of transportation services, lease agreements and advertising services for an aggregated consideration of 8.1m11m US dollar from companies in which one of the company’s Board Member had a significant influence as of 31 December 2018.2019 (2018: 8m US dollar; 2017: 5m US dollar). The outstanding balance of these transactions as of 31 December 20182019 amounts to 0.2m1m US dollar.dollar (31 December 2018: 1m US dollar).

JOINTLY 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

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Non-current assets

   11    12    11    10    11    12 

Current assets

   5    5    5    3    5    5 

Non-current liabilities

   9    11    9    11    9    11 

Current liabilities

   12    6    6    10    12    6 

Result from operations

   4    (3   (6   3    4    (3

Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   3    (3   (7   3    3    (3

TRANSACTIONS 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

  2018   2017   2016   2019   2018   2017 

Gross profit

   74    91    (47   76    74    91 

Current assets

   152    73    (8   41    152    73 

Current liabilities

   130    20    20    119    130    20 

TRANSACTIONS WITH PENSION PLANS

AB InBev’s transactions with pension plans mainly comprise 12m US dollar other income from pension plans in the US.US (2018: 12m US dollar; 2017: 12m US dollar).

35.

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. or Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., or Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC, 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 Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC, Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à r.l. and Cobrew NV (the “Other Subsidiary Guarantors”), and by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. (in respect of debt issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc.) and by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. (in respect of debt issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc.). The following notes issued by Anheuser-Busch Worldwide Inc. and, Anheuser-Busch Finance Inc. and Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC and registered with the SEC were outstanding as of 31 December 2018:2019:

 

On 6 January 2010, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. issued 0.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2040. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 6.375% and will mature on 15 January 2040. The issuance closed on 5 February 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 20211. The issuance closed on 27 January 2011.

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)with aggregate principal amount of 1.25 billion US dollar, principal amount of 8.2% notes due 2039 and (ii) 1.0 billion US dollar principal amountbearing interest at an annual rate of 6.875% notes due 2019 and (iii) 0.45 billion US dollar principal amount of 8.0 % notes due 2039.8.2%. 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 16 July 2012, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. issued 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 2.500% for the 2022 notes and 3.750% for the 2042 notes.

On 16 July 2012, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. issued 3.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 20222 and 1.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2042. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 2.500% for the 2022 notes and 3.750% for the 2042 notes.

 

On 17 January 2013, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. issued 1.25 billion600m 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 2.625% for the 2023 notes and 4.000% for the 2043 notes.

 

On 27 January 2014, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. issued 5.252.3 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of bonds, consisting of; 250m US dollar aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 2019; 1.4 billion865m 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 3.700% for the 2024 notes; and 4.625% for the 2044 notes. The floating rate notes bear interest at an annual rate of 40.00 basis points above three-month 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 46.034.5 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;20233; 11.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 202614; 6.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 203615; 11.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 204616; and 500m US dollar aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 2021.20217. 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 6.82.1 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of certain SAB 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) 641 million US dollar aggregate principal amount of 2.200% fixed rate notes due 2018; (iii) 2.35 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 3.750% fixed rates due 2022; (iv) 298 million US dollar aggregate principal amount of 6.625% fixed rate notes due 2033; (v)(ii) 300 million US dollar aggregate principal amount of 5.875% fixed rate notes due 2035; and (vi)(iii) 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 1,735,171,0001.7 billion 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;

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 20248; (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 20249. The floating rate notes bear interest at an annual rate of 74.00 basis points above three-month LIBOR.

On 23 January 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. completed the issuance of 15.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of certain bonds (i) 4.3 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 4.750% fixed rate notes due 2058;2029; (ii) 4.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 5.550% fixed rate notes due 2049; (iii) 2.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 4.150% fixed rates due 2025; (iv) 2.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 5.450% fixed rate notes due 2039; (v) 2.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 5.800% fixed rate notes due 2059; and (vi) 500750 million US dollar aggregate principal amount of floating4.900% fixed rate notes due 2024. The floating rate notes bear interest at an annual rate of 74.00 basis points above three-month LIBOR.2031.

 

1 

TheseOn 11 February 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. completed tender offers for the 4.375% fixed rate note due 2021 for the total aggregate principal amount of 215 million US dollar.

2

On 11 February 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. completed tender offers for the 2.500% fixed rate note due 2022 for the total aggregate principal amount of 1.3 billion US dollar. Furthermore on the 29 October 2019 and 12 November 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. redeemed 525 million US dollar and 725 million US dollar respectively of the same note.

3

On 11 February 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. completed tender offers for the 3.300% fixed rate note due 2023 for the total aggregate principal amount of 2.9 billion. On 25 April 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. completed the redemption of 315 million US dollar of the same note.

4

An aggregate principal amount of $8.5 billion US dollar of these notes were exchanged on 2613 November 2018 for notes co-issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC. On 11 February 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. completed tender offers for these notes for the total aggregate principal amount of 812 million US dollar. On the same date Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC completed tender offers for its notes for the total aggregate principal amount of 5.1 billion US dollar.

5

An aggregate principal amount of $5.4 billion US dollar of these notes were exchanged on 13 November 2018 by notes co-issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC.

26 

In accordance to IFRS 9,An aggregate principal amount of $9.5 billion US dollar of these notes were exchanged on 13 November 2018 by notes co-issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC.

7

On 11 February 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. completed tender offers for the transition datefloating rate note due 2021 for the difference betweentotal aggregate principal amount of 189 million.

8

On 11 February 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. completed tender offers for the new carry3.500% fixed rate note due 2024 for the total aggregate principal amount and old carryof 846 million.

9

On 11 February 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. completed tender offers for the floating rate note due 2024 for the total aggregate principal amount was booked in the Retained Earnings. See also Note 16Interest-bearing loans and borrowings.of 271 million US dollar

On 26 November 2018,15 May 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC completed an exchange offer for certain unregistered notes originally issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance IncWorldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC on 25 January 2016.13 November 2018. The aggregate principal amount accepted for offer arewere (i) 9.5 billion US dollar of 4.900% fixed rate notes due 2046; 5.45.3 billion US dollar of 4.700% fixed rate notes due 2036; and 8.63.3 billion US dollar of 3.650% fixed rate notes due 2026. In connection with the exchange offer, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC issued freely tradeable, SEC-registered notes with otherwise substantially the same terms and conditions.

The following condensed consolidated financial information presents the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of 31 December 20182019 and 31 December 2017,2018, the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the period ended 31 December 20182019 and 20172018 of (a) Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, (b) Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. (guarantor of notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc.), (c) Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. (guarantor of notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and notesco-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, (f) thenon-guarantor subsidiaries, (g) elimination entries necessary to consolidate the Parent with the issuer, the guarantor subsidiaries and thenon-guarantor subsidiaries; and (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 registration statement filed with the SEC in place of this condensed consolidated information. Except as disclosed in Note 23Changes 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 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 

For the year ended 31 December 2019

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

   592   —     —      15 584   —     40 932   (2 489  54 619    684   —     —     14 229   —     38 924   (1 508  52 329 

Cost of sales

   (370  —     —      (7 318  —    (15 160 2 489  (20 359   (461  —     —    (5 985  —    (15 424 1 508  (20 362
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Gross profit

   222      8 266    25 772    34 259    223   —     —     8 244   —     23 500   —     31 967 

Distribution expenses

   (35  —     —      (1 147  —    (4 588  —    (5 770   (38  —     —    (1 063  —    (4 424  —    (5 525

Sales and marketing expenses

   (187  —     —      (2 036  —    (5 660  —    (7 883   (154  —     —    (2 007  —    (5 187  —    (7 348

Administrative expenses

   (205  —     —      (550 (51 (2 659  —    (3 465   (306  —     —    (553 15  (2 704  —    (3 548

Other operating income/(expenses)

   579  1 125   —      (1 563 3  (179  —    (35   383  1 344   —    (1 684 1  508   —    552 
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit from operations

   374   1 125   —      2 970   (48  12 685   —     17 106    108   1 344   —     2 937   16   11 693   —     16 098 

Net finance cost

   (209  (3 047  37    2 443   113   (8 066  —     (8 729

Share of result of associates

   —     —     —      3   —    150   —    153 

Net finance income/(cost)

   (320  (2 173  66   931   369   (2 346  —     (3 473

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

   —     —     —    (6  —    158   —    152 

Profit before tax

   165   (1 922  37    5 416   65   4 769    8 530    (212  (829  66   3 862   385   9 505   —     12 776 

Income tax expense

   —    293   —      (726 (2 (2 404  —    (2 839   —    233  (8 (661 (1 (2 349  —    (2 786

Profit

   165   (1 629  37    4 690   63   2 365   —     5 691    (212  (596  58   3 201   384   7 156   —     9 990 

Income from subsidiaries

   4 203  1 887   —      98  849  3 172  (10 209  —      9 383  3 101   —    157  891  2 506  (16 038  —   

Profit from continuing operations

   4 368   259   37    4 788   912   5 537   (10 209  5 691    9 171   2 505   58   3 358   1 275   9 662   (16 038  9 990 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —     —     —      —     —     —     —     —      —     —     —     —     —    424   —    424 

Profit of the year

   4 368   259   37    4 788   912   5 537   (10 209  5 691    9 171   2 505   58   3 358   1 275   10 086   (16 038  10 414 

Profit from continuing operations attributable to:

                   

Equity holders of AB InBev

   4 368  259  37    4 787  912  4 215  (10 209 4 368    9 171  2 505  58  3 361  1 275  8 416  (16 038 8 748 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —     —      —     —    1 323   —    1 323    —     —     —    (3  —    1 246   —    1 243 

Profit of the year attributable to:

          

Profit of the period attributable to:

         

Equity holders of AB InBev

   4 368  259  37    4 787  912  4 215  (10 209 4 368    9 171  2 505  58  3 361  1 275  8 840  (16 038 9 171 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —     —      —     —    1 323   —    1 323    —     —     —    ( 3  —    1 246   —    1 243 

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 

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Million US dollar

Restated

  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    592   —     —      15 584   —     39 354   (2 489  53 041 

Cost of sales

   (338  —    —   (5 838  —    (17 556 2 346  (21 386   (370  —     —      (7 297  —    (14 755 2 489  (19 933
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Gross profit

   202   —    —    8 177   —     26 679    35 058    222   —     —      8 287   —     24 599   —     33 108 

Distribution expenses

   (23  —    —   (996  —    (4 857  —   (5 876   (35  —     —      (1 168  —    (4 409  —    (5 612

Sales and marketing expenses

   (181  —    —   (2 208  —    (5 993  —   (8 382   (187  —     —      (2 025  —    (5 562  —    (7 774

Administrative expenses

   (255  —    —   (338 (66 (3 182  —   (3 841   (205  —     —      (556 (51 (2 609  —    (3 421

Other operating income/(expenses)

   793  1 066   —   (1 845 8  170   —   192    579  1 125   —      (1 563 3  (31  —    113 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit from operations

   536   1 066   —    2 790   (58  12 817   —    17 152    374   1 125   —      2 975   (48  11 988   —     16 414 

Net finance cost

   (819  (3 064  26   3 218   942   (6 810  —    (6 507

Share of result of associates

     2   428   —   430 

Net finance income/(cost)

   (209  (3 047  37    2 435   113   (8 155  —     (8 826

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

   —     —     —      3   —    150   —    153 

Profit before tax

   (283  (1 998  26   6 110   884   6 435   —    11 076    165   (1 922  37    5 413   65   3 983   —     7 741 

Income tax expense

   (16 614  (17 1 506  (177 (3 830  —   (1 920   —    293   —      (726 (2 (2 150  —    (2 585

Profit

   (299  (1 384  9   7 516   708   2 605   —    9 155    165   (1 629  37    4 687   63   1 834   —     5 157 

Income from subsidiaries

   8 295  3 721   126  4 041  6 204  (22 387    4 194  1 887   —      98  848  3 168  (10 195  —   

Profit from continuing operations

   7 996   2 337   9   7 641   4 749   8 809   (22 387  9 155    4 359   257   37    4 785   911   5 002   (10 195  5 157 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —     —    —    —    —    28   —   28    —     —     —      —     —    531   —    531 

Profit of the year

   7 996   2 337   9   7 641   4 749   8 837   (22 387  9 183    4 359   257   37    4 785   911   5 533   (10 195  5 688 

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    4 359  257  37    4 784  911  3 685  (10 195 3 839 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —     —    —     —   1 187   —   1 187    —     —     —      1   —    1 317   —    1 318 

Profit of the year attributable to:

         

Profit of the period attributable to:

          

Equity holders of AB InBev

   7 996  2 337  9  7 641  4 749  7 651  (22 387 7 996    4 359  257  37    4 784  911  4 216  (10 195 4 370 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —    —    —     —    1 187   —   1 187    —     —     —      1   —    1 317   —    1 318 

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 

For the year ended 31 December 2017

Million US dollar

Restated

  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    540   —     —     14 015   —     42 650   (2 346  54 859 

Cost of sales

   (300  —    —     (5 923  —    (13 587 2 008  (17 803   (338  —     —    (5 818  —    (17 165 2 346  (20 975
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Gross profit

   206   —    —     8 212   —     19 297   —     27 715    202   —     —     8 197   —     25 485   —     33 884 

Distribution expenses

   (27  —    —     (967  —   (3 549  —   (4 543   (23  —     —    (1 015  —    (4 678  —    (5 716

Sales and marketing expenses

   (204  —    —     (2 372  —   (5 169  —   (7 745   (181  —     —    (2 198  —    (5 886  —    (8 265

Administrative expenses

   (198 (4  —     (344 (40 (2 297  —   (2 883   (255  —     —    (345 (66 (3 113  —    (3 779

Other operating income/(expenses)

   464  559   —     (1 286 3  598   —   338    793  1 066   —    (1 845 8  315   —    337 
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit from operations

   241   555   —     3 244   (38  8 880   —     12 882    536   1 066   —     2 794   (58  12 122   —     16 460 

Net finance cost

   (1 599  (1 283  36    (83  (3 722  (1 913  —     (8 564

Share of result of associates

       2   14   16 

Net finance income/(cost)

   (819  (3 064  26   3 210   942   (6 921  —     (6 626

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

   —     —     —    2     428   —    430 

Profit before tax

   (1 358  (728  36    3 163   (3 760  6 981   —     4 334    (283  (1 998  26   6 006   884   5 629   —     10 264 

Income tax expense

   280  2    (1 386 28  (537  —    (1 613   (16 614  (17 1 506  (177 (3 568  —    (1 658

Profit

   (1 358  (448  38    1 776   (3 731  6 444   —     2 721    (299  (1 384  9   7 512   708   2 060   —     8 606 

Income from subsidiaries

   2 599  1 958   —     1 030  292  1 469  (7 348  —     8 289  3 720   —    126  4 042  6 201  (22 377  —   

Profit from continuing operations

   1 241   1 510   38    2 806   (3 439  7 913   
(7
348
 
  2 721    7 990   2 336   9   7 637   4 750   8 261   (22 377  8 606 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —     —     —     —     —   48   —    48    —     —     —     —     —    560   —    560 

Profit of the year

   1 241   1 510   38    2 806   (3 439  7 961   (7 348  2 769    7 990   2 336   9   7 637   4 750   8 821   (22 377  9 166 

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    7 990  2 336  9  7 637  4 750  7 085  (22 377 7 430 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —    —      —     —   1 528   —   1 528    —     —     —     —     —    1 176   —    1 176 

Profit of the year attributable to:

         

Profit of the period attributable to:

         

Equity holders of AB InBev

   1 241  1 510  38    2 806  (3 439 6 433  (7 348 1 241    7 990  2 336  9  7 637  4 750  7 646  (22 377 7 990 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —    —     —     —    1 528   —   1 528    —     —     —     —     —    1 176   —    1 176 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

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 

As at 31 December 2019

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

   45    —     —     5 009    —     20 856    —   25 910    36    —      —      5 063   —      22 445    —    27 544 

Goodwill

   —     —     —     33 226    —     100 085    —   133 311    —      —      —      33 157   —      94 957    —    128 114 

Intangible assets

   580    —     —     22 227    98    21 926    —   44 831    409    —      —      22 195  97    19 751    —    42 452 

Investments in subsidiaries

   123 120    86 240    —     30 594    24 623    170 569    (435 146  —     128 860    77,492    —      42 557  17 955    183 831    (450,696  —   

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   —     —     —     —     —      6 136    —   6 136    —      —      —      22   —      5 839    —    5 861 

Deferred tax assets

   —     130    —     —     —      1 465    (138 1 457    —      163    —      —     —      1 556    —    1 719 

Derivatives

   —     —     —     —     302    10    (21 291    —      —      —      —    113    19    —    132 

Other non-current assets

   22 196    13 850    24 037    26 158    8 701    36 766    (129 823 1 886    13 930    11 681    13 853    14 495  13 483    43 495    (108 925 2 012 
   145 941    100 220    24 037    117 213    33 724    357 813    (565 128  213 822    143 235    89,336    13 853    117 489   31 648    371 893    (559,621  207 834 

Current assets

                             

Investment securities

   —      —     —     —      —     87    —   87    —      —      —      —     —      92    —    92 

Inventories

   —      —     —     819    —     3 415    —   4 234    —      —      —      822   —      3 605    —    4 427 

Derivatives

   —      —     —     25    5 399    464    (5 872 16    188    —      —      22  3 909    105    (3 994 230 

Trade and other receivables

   3 079    3 471    1 176    6 678    1 619    10 415    (20 063 6 375    4 152    10 163    846    7 331  113    13 139    (29 557 6 187 

Cash and cash equivalents

   1    3    28    581    6 094    8 481    (8 114 7 074    79    22    18    348  12 697    7 825    (13 751 7 238 

Assets classified as held for sale

   —      —     —     —     —     39    —   39    236    —      —      —     —      9 777    —    10 013 

Other current assets

   —      500    3    —       455    (501 456    8    198    2    —    5    414    —    627 
   3 080    3 974    1 207    8 103    13 112    23 356    (34 550  18 281    4 663    10 383    866    8 523   16 724    34 957    (47 302  28 814 

Total assets

   149 021    104 194    25 244    125 316    46 836    381 169    (599 678  232 103    147 898    99,719    14 719    126 012   48 372    406 850    (606,922  236 648 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

                             

Equity

                             

Equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   64 486    55 403    597    74 635    29 258    275 253    (435 146 64 486    75 722    46,188    622    77 569  25 359    300 957    (450,696 75 722 

Minority interest

   —     —     —     —      —     7 418    —   7 418 

Minority interests

   —      —      —      (2  —      8 833    —    8 831 
   64 486    55 403    597    74 635    29 258    282 671    (435 146  71 904    75 722    48 188    622    77 567   25 359    309 790    (450,696  84 553 

Non-current liabilities

                             

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   72 756    46 552    24 042    33 147    3 314    55 391    (129 618 105 584    59 605    49 310    13 874    28 313  3 586    51 690    (108 814 97 564 

Employee benefits

   5    —     —     1 048    —     1 628    —   2 681    5    —      —      1 067   —      1 776    —    2 848 

Deferred tax liabilities

   —     —     8    6 692    —     6 601    (137 13 165    —      —      9    6 772   —      6 043    —    12 824 

Derivatives

   —     —     —     —     788    —     (21 766    —      —      —      —    352    —      —    352 

Other non-current liabilities

   81    —     —     150    —     3 312    —   3 544    60    —      —      543   —      3 063    —    3 666 
   72 842    46 552    24 050    41 037    4 102    66 932    (129 776  125 740    59 670    49 310    13 883    36 695   3 938    62 572    (108 814  117 254 

Current liabilities

                             

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   4 535    1 679    253    5 783    5 234    4 483    (17 752 4 216    3 651    3 633    —      7 302  9 775    8 701    (27 652 5 410 

Income tax payable

   —     —     —     474    3    1 243    (500 1 220 

Income tax payables

   —      —      —      237   —      1 109    —    1 346 

Derivatives

   482    —     —     131    5 563    5 272    (5 872 5 574    198    —      —      49  3 875    3 671    (3 994 3 799 

Trade and other payables

   1 228    562    342    3 211    65    19 674    (2 515 22 568    1 071    588    214    4 153  75    18 778    (2 015 22 864 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

   —      —      —      —      —      —      —     —      —      —      —      —     —      1 145    —    1 145 

Other current liabilities

   5 450    —      —      42    2 612    893    (8 118 881    7 586    —      —      9  5 350    1 084    (13 752 277 
   11 695    2 241    595    9 642    13 477    31 565    (34 756  34 459    12 506    4 221    214    11 750   19 075    34 488    (47 413  34 841 

Total equity and liabilities

   149 021    104 194    25 244    125 316    46 836    381 169    (599 678  232 103    147 898    99,719    14 719    126 012   48 372    406 850    (606,922  236 648 

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 

As at 31 December 2018

Million US dollar

Restated

  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    45    —      —      5 235    —      22 335    —    27 615 

Goodwill

   —     —    —     33 089    188    107 663    —   140 940    —      —      —      33 226    —      100 085    —    133 311 

Intangible assets

   584    —    —     21 947    158    23 185    —   45 874    580    —      —      22 227    98    21 926    —    44 831 

Investments in subsidiaries

   121 847    77 388   —     42 660    40 708    99 398    (382 000  ���     123 108    86 239    —      30 594    24 622    170 568    (435 131  —   

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   —     —    —     28    —     5 253    —   5 263    —      —      —      —      —      6 136    —    6 136 

Deferred tax assets

   —     —    —     —     —     1 216    —   1 216    —      130    —      —      —      1 525    (138 1 517 

Derivatives

   —     —    —     3    13    9    —   25    —      —      —      —      302    10    (21 291 

Other non-current assets

   53 565    10 290  55 432    18 115    7 178    67 709    (210 623 1 664    22 196    13 850    24 037    26 158    8 701    36 767    (129 823 1 885 
   176 040    87 678   55 432    120 430    48 246    326 966    (592 623  222 166    145 929    100 219    24 037    117 440    33 723    359 352    (565 113  215 587 

Current assets

                             

Investment securities

   1 301    —    —     —     —     3    —   1 304    —      —      —      —      —      87    —    87 

Inventories

   21    —    —     626    —     3 472    —   4 119    —      —      —      819    —      3 415    —    4 234 

Derivatives

   —     —    —     122    198    138    —   458    —      —      —      25    5 399    464    (5 872 16 

Trade and other receivables

   16 585    1 514  1 947    3 265    21 972    19 942    (58 660 6 566    3 079    3 471    1 176    6 678    1 619    10 415    (20 063 6 375 

Cash and cash equivalents

   43    242  8    1 872    4 110    9 768    (5 571 10 472    1    3    28    581    6 094    8 481    (8 114 7 074 

Assets classified as held for sale

   —     —    —     —     —     133    —   133    —      —      —      —      —      39    —    39 

Other current assets

   —     —    —     —     —     908    —   908    —      500    3    —        454    (501 457 
   17 950    1 756   1 955    5 884    26 281    34 364    (64 231  23 960    3 080    3 974    1 207    8 103    13 112    23 355    (34 550  18 281 

Total assets

   193 990    89 434   57 387    126 315    74 526    361 330    (656 854  246 126    149 009    104 193    25 244    125 542    46 835    382 707    (599 663  233 868 

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    64 474    55 402    597    74 628    29 258    275 257    (435 131 64 485 

Minority interest

   —     —    —     —     —     7 635    —   7 635 

Minority interests

   —      —      —      —      —      7 404    —    7 404 
   72 585    38 307   586    89 304    42 352    219 087    (382 000  80 220    64 474    55 402    597    74 628    29 258    282 662    (435 131  71 890 

Non-current liabilities

                             

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   102 398    49 230  55 464    24 874    4 131    83 459    (210 607 108 949    72 756    46 552    24 042    33 348    3 314    56 603    (129 618 106 997 

Employee benefits

   5    —    —     1 240    —     1 748    —   2 993    5    —      —      1 048    —      1 628    —    2 681 

Deferred tax liabilities

   —     (337 9    6 528    —     6 907    —   13 107    —      —      8    6 692    —      6 601    (137 13 165 

Derivatives

   —     —    —     1    919    17    —   937    —      —      —      —      788    —      (21 766 

Other non-current liabilities

   131    —    —     1 012    11    2 573    (18 3 709    81    —      —      150    —      3 312    —    3 544 
   102 534    48 893   55 473    33 654    5 062    94 704    (210 625  129 695    72 842    46 552    24 050    41 238    4 102    68 145    (129 776  127 153 

Current liabilities

                             

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   16 718    2 363  479    387    18 949    20 531    (51 994 7 433    4 535    1 679    253    5 816    5 234    4 818    (17 752 4 584 

Income tax payable

   —     (665 3    726    8    1 486    —   1 558 

Income tax payables

   —      —      —      474    3    1 243    (500 1 220 

Derivatives

   —     —    —     31    1 329    97    —   1 457    482    —      —      131    5 563    5 272    (5 872 5 575 

Trade and other payables

   2 033    535  848    2 207    3 274    22 530    (6 665 24 762    1 228    562    342    3 211    65    19 674    (2 515 22 568 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

   —     —    —     —     —     —     —    —  

Other current liabilities

   121    —    —     5    3 553    2 894    (5 571 1 002    5 450    —      —      42    2 612    893    (8 117 880 
   18 872    2 233   1 330    3 356    27 113    47 538    (64 230  36 211    11 695    2 241    595    9 674    13 477    31 900    (34 756  34 826 

Total equity and liabilities

   193 990    89 434   57 387    126 315    74 526    361 330    (656 854  246 126    149 009    104 193    25 244    125 542    46 835    382 707    (599 663  233 868 

As at 1 January 2018

Million US dollar

Restated

  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    —     —      4 841    —      24 347    —     29 233 

Goodwill

   —      —     —      33 089    188    107 663    —     140 940 

Intangible assets

   584    —     —      21 947    158    23 185    —     45 874 

Investments in subsidiaries

   121 839    77 387   —      42 661    40 708    99 396    (381 990  —   

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   —      —     —      28    —      5 235    —     5 263 

Deferred tax assets

   —      —     —      —      —      1 251    —     1 251 

Derivatives

   —      —     —      3    13    9    —     25 

Othernon-current assets

   53 565    10 290   55 432    18 115    7 178    67 709    (210 623  1 664 
   176 032    87 677   55 432    120 683    48 246    328 795    (592 613  224 251 

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  23 957 

Total assets

   193 982    89 433   57 387    126 568    74 526    363 158    (656 844  248 208 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

              

Equity

              

Equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   72 576    38 306   586    89 301    42 352    211 446    (381 990  72 576 

Minority interests

   —      —     —      —      —      7 624    —     7 624 
   72 576    38 306   586    89 301    42 352    219 070    (381 990  80 200 

Non-current liabilities

              

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   102 398    49 230   55 464    25 095    4 131    84 926    (210 607  110 637 

Employee benefits

   5    —     —      1 241    —      1 748    —     2 993 

Deferred tax liabilities

   —      (337  9    6 528    —      6 907    —     13 107 

Derivatives

   —      —     —      1    919    17    —     937 

Othernon-current liabilities

   131    —     —      1 012    11    2 573    (18  3 709 
   102 534    48 893   55 473    33 875    5 062    96 171    (210 625  131 383 

Current liabilities

              

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   16 718    2 363   479    421    18 949    20 914    (51 994  7 846 

Income tax payables

   —      (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 

Other current liabilities

   121    —     —��     5    3 553    2 894    (5 571  1 002 
   18 872    2 233   1 330    3 390    27 113    47 916    (64 230  36 625 

Total equity and liabilities

   193 982    89 433   57 387    126 568    74 526    363 158    (656 844  248 208 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

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 

As at 31 December 2019

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

   4 368  350  37  6 297  911  5 643  (11 915 5 691 

Profit from continuing operations

   9 171  2 505  58  3 358  1 275  9 661  (16 038 9 990 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   147   —     —    802   —    3 311   —    4 260    175   —     —    815   —    3 667   —    4 657 

Net finance cost

   209  3 047  (37 (2 443 (113 8 066   —    8 729 

Net finance cost/(income)

   320  2 173  (66 (931 (369 2 346   —    3 473 

Income tax expense

   —    (293  —    718  2  2 412   —    2 839    —    (232 8  660  1  2 349   —    2 786 

Investment income

   (4 203 (1 980  —    (1 502 (849 (3 382 11 916   —      (9 383 (3 101  —    (157 (891 (2 506 16 038   —   

Other items

   158   —     —    3   —    (118 (1 42    87   —     —    129   —    (103  —    113 

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

   679   1 124   —     3 875   (49  15 932   —     21 561    370   1 345   —     3 874   16   15 414   —     21 019 

Working capital and provisions

   182  360   —    (403 (15 (196 96  24    (52 740   —    4 111  (37 (5 482  —    (720

Cash generated from operations

   861   1 484   —     3 472   (64  15 736   96   21 585    318   2 085   —     7 985   (21  9 932   —     20 299 

Interest paid, net

   (137 (2 718 73  4 008  (190 (5 025 (28 (4 017   (555 (2 664 38  (47 (177 (522  —    (3 927

Dividends received

   —     —     —     —     —    39  102  141    8 784   —     —    12 939  3  458  (22 024 160 

Income tax paid

   —     —    (8 (616 (7 (2 416  —    (3 047   (8  —    (7 (559 (8 (2 554  —    (3 136

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   724   (1 234  65   6 864   (261  8 334   170   14 663    8 539   (579  31   20 318   (203  7 314   (22 024  13 396 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                  

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   (267  —     —    (500  —    (4 407  —    (5 174

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   —     —     —    47   —    390   —    437    2   —     —    73  1  244   —    320 

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash

   —     —     —    (11 376 222  10 769   —    (385

Sale of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of

   127   —     —     —     —    128   —    257    —     —     —    6   —    127   —    133 

Proceeds from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     —     —    (330  —    (330

Taxes on SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     —     —    (100  —    (100

Acquisition of other subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

   (27  —     —     —     —    (85  —    (112

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   (194  —     —    (857  —    (4 035  —    (5 086

Net of tax proceeds from the sale of assets held for sale

   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of investment in short-term debt securities

   1 300   —     —     —     —    (4  —    1 296    —     —     —     —     —    (9  —    (9

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

   —     —     —    13   —    (185  —    (172   —     —     —    (16  —    (9  —    (25

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

   29 335  4 599  31 459   
(19
654
 
 3 051  93 436   
(142
382
 
 (156   5 273  (1 742 10 459  (6 193 506  7 603  (15 894 12 

Proceeds from assets held for sale

   —     —     —     —     —    55   —    55 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   30 541   4 599   31 459   (20 451  3 051   89 217   (142 382  (3 965   5 008   (1 742  10 459   (18 006  729   14 373   (15 894  (5 073

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                  

Intra-group capital reimbursements

   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —      (248  —     —     —    7 500  (7 252  —     —   

Purchase of non-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —     —    (923  —    (923

(Purchase)/sale ofnon-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —     —    222   —    222 

Proceeds from public offering of minority stake in Budweiser APAC

   —     —     —     —     —    5 575   —    5 575 

Proceeds from borrowings

   6 337  9 762  9 755  23 483  157  (31 555 (157 17 782    21 223  22 264   —    5 033  4 696  19 390  (50 022 22 584 

Payments on borrowings

   (36 673 (13 367 (41 259 (11 169  —    (62 273 142 253  (22 489   (32 191 (19 792 (10 501 (9 958 (4 058 (20 008 65 916  (30 592

Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

   263   —     —    5  10  (953 121  (554   57  (130  —    2 713  95  (3 580  —    (845

Payment of lease liabilities

   —     —     —    (49  —    (392  —    (441

Dividends paid

   (6 541  —     —     —     —    (1 218 (2 (7 761   (4 027  —     —    (286 (5 049 (17 677 22 024  (5 015

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   (36 614  (3 605  (31 504  12 319   166   (96 923  142 215   (13 945   (15 186  2 342   (10 501  (2 547  3 184   (23 722  37 918   (8 512

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (5 349  (240  20   (1 268  2 956   629   3   (3 247

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents on continuing operations

   (1 639  21   (11  (235  3 710   (2 035  —     (189

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents on discontinued operations

   —     —     —     —     —     539   —     539 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

   (74 242  9  1 929  530  7 720   —    10 356    (5 445 4  29  580  3 486  8 306   —    6 960 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

   (23  —     —    (80 (5 (40 (3 (148   (419  —     —     —    152  126   —    (141

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of year

   (5 446  2   29   581   3 481   8 309   —     6 960    (7 503  25   18   345   7 348   6 936   —     7 169 

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 

As at 31 December 2018

Million US dollar

Restated

  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 

Profit from continuing operations

   4 359  348  37  6 293  911  5 110  (11 901 5 157 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   128   —     —    849  (78 3 377   —    4 276    147   —     —    840   —    3 637   —    4 624 

Net finance cost

   819  3 064  (26 (3 218 (942 6 810   —    6 507 

Net finance cost/(income)

   209  3 047  (37 (2 435 (113 8 155   —    8 826 

Income tax expense

   16  (614 17  (1 506 177  3 830   —    1 920    —    (293  —    718  2  2 158   —    2 585 

Investment income

   (8 296 (3 721  —    (126 (4 041 (6 203 22 387   —      (4 194 (1 979  —    (1 502 (848 (3 379 11 902   —   

Other items

   126   —     —    (9 2  (338  —    (219   158   —     —    3   —    (125 (1 35 

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    680   1 123   —     3 917   (48  15 555   —     21 227 

Working capital and provisions

   (283 869  (4 (1 319 109  72  159  (397   182  360   —    (403 (15 (230)�� 96  (10

Cash generated from operations

   506   1 936   (5  2 313   (25  16 385   159   21 270    862   1 483   —     3 514   (63  15 325   96   21 217 

Interest paid, net

   (860 (3 156 79  106  245  (6 120 5 865  (3 841   (137 (2 718 73  3 999  (190 (5 129 (28 (4 130

Dividends received

   2   —     —    76  2  139  (77 142    —     —     —     —     —    39  102  141 

Income tax paid

   (16  —    (16 289  (4 (2 394  —    (2 141   —     —    (8 (616 (7 (2 416  —    (3 047

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   (368  (1 220  58   2 785   217   8 010   5 947   15 430    725   (1 235  65   6 897   (260  7 819   170   14 181 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                  

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   (194  —     —    (857  —    (3 954  —    (5 005

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   —     —     —    20  (2 599   —    617    —     —     —    47   —    390   —    437 

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash

   (27  —     —     —     —    (57  —    (84

Sale of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of

   —     —     —    42   —     —     —    42    127   —     —     —     —    130   —    257 

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    1 300   —     —     —     —    (4  —    1 296 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

   535   —     —    4  (73 (746  —    (280   —     —     —    13   —    (185  —    (172

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

   (7 949 4 996  332  378  4 229  43 229  (45 002 213    29 335  4 599  31 459  (19 654 3 051  93 436  (142 382 (156

Proceeds from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     —     —    (330  —    (330

Taxes on SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     —     —    (100  —    (100

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   (3 363  4 996   332   (4 049  4 357   50 582   (45 002  7 854    30 541   4 599   31 459   (20 451  3 051   89 326   (142 382  (3 857

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                  

Intra-group capital reimbursements

   18 594   —     —    28  (21 180 2 558   —     —   

Purchase of non-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —     —    (206  —    (206

(Purchase)/sale ofnon-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —     —    (923  —    (923

Proceeds from borrowings

   24 604  2 262  1 470  8 152  8 045  (219 (30 962 13 352    6 337  9 762  9 755  23 483  157  (31 555 (157 17 782 

Payments on borrowings

   (20 574 (5 876 (1 306 (6 541 (12 813 (46 006 69 783  (23 333   (36 673 (13 367 (41 259 (11 169  —    (62 274 142 253  (22 489

Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

   (463  —     —    (34 2 011  (3 055  —    (1 541   263   —     —    18  10  ( 925 121  ( 513

Payment of lease liabilities

   —     —     —    (48  —    (375  —    ( 423

Dividends paid

   (7 992 (75  —     —     —    (1 285 77  (9 275   (6 541  —     —     —     —    (1 218 ( 2 (7 761

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   14 169   (3 689  164   1 604   (23 936  (48 213  38 898   (21 004   (36 614  (3 605  (31 504  12 284   166   (97 269  142 215   (14 327

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   10 438   87   554   340   (19 361  10 379   (157  2 280 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents on continuing operations

   (5 348  (241  20   (1 270  2 957   (124  3   (4 003

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents on discontinued operations

   —     —     —     —     —     755   —     755 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

   
(10
244
 
 155  (617 1 464  18 376  (739  —    8 395    (74 242  9  1 929  530  7 720   —    10 356 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

   (268  —    72  28  1 583  (1 891 157  (319   (23  —     —    (80 (5 (40  —    (148

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of year

   (74  242   9   1 832   598   7 749    10 356    (5 445  1   29   579   3 482   8 311   3   6 960 

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 

As at 31 December 2017

Million US dollar

Restated

  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 

Profit from continuing operations

   7 988  2 337  8  7 641  4 749  8 260  (22 377 8 606 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   96   —     —    811  (63 2 633   —    3 477    128   —     —    884  (78 3 691   —    4 625 

Net finance cost

   1 599  1 284  (36 83  3 722  1 912   —    8 564 

Net finance cost/(income)

   819  3 064  (26 (3 210 (942 6 921   —    6 626 

Income tax expense

   —    (280 (2 1 386  (28 537   —    1 613    16  (614 17  (1 506 177  3 568   —    1 658 

Investment income

   (2 599 (1 958  —    (1 030 (292 (1 469 7 348   —      (8 288 (3 720  —    (127 (4 041 (6 201 22 377   —   

Other items

   56  (1  —    231   —    (368  —    (82   126   —     —    (9 2  (308  —    (189

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

   393   555   —     4 428   (241  11 206   —     16 341    789   1 067   (1  3 673   (133  15 931   —     21 326 

Working capital and provisions

   (121 541  4  (626 (24 (80 9  (297   (283 869  (4 (1 319 109  27  159  (442

Cash generated from operations

   272  1 096  4  3 802  (265 11 126  9  16 044    506   1 936   (5  2 354   (24  15 958   159   20 884 

Interest paid, net

   (1 543 (1 153 59  (110 1 109  (1 108 25  (2 721   (860 (3 156 79  98  245  (6 237 5 865  (3 966

Dividends received

   9 256   —     —    3  1  40  (9 257 43    2   —     —    76  2  140  (77 143 

Income tax paid

   —     —     —    (494 (17 (2 745  —    (3 256   (16  —    (16 289  (4 (2 394  —    (2 141

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   7 985   (57  63   3 201   828   7 313   (9 223  10 110    (368  (1 220  58   2 817   219   7 467   5 947   14 920 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                  

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   (126  —     —    (625 91  (4 020  —    (4 680

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   —     —     —    24  1  186   —    211    —     —     —    20  (2 520   —    538 

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash

   —     —     —    (419 113  (265  —    (571

Sale of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of

   —     —     —    14  (1 640   —    653    —     —     —    42   —    (2  —    40 

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   4 177   —     —     —     —    160   —    4 337 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

   —     —     —    (10 (21 4   —    (27   535   —     —    4  (73 (743  —    (277

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

   (11 753 (900 (46 052 (11 425 11 196  (32 475 91 180  (229   (7 949 4 996  332  378  4 229  43 231  (45 002 215 

Proceeds from assets held for sale

   —     —     —     —     —    15   —    15 

Proceeds from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     —     —    11 697   —    11 697 

Taxes on SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —    (3 449  —     —     —    (3 449

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   (75 334  (900  (46 052  (12 550  3 026   (19 447  91 180   (60 077   (3 363  4 996   332   (4 049  4 358   50 593   (45 002  7 865 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                  

Intra-group capital reimbursements

   (79  —     —    85  (2 200 2 194   —     —      18 594   —     —    28  (21 180 2 558   —     —   

Purchase of non-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —     —    (10  —    (10

(Purchase)/sale ofnon-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —     —    (207  —    (207

Proceeds from borrowings

   81 137  4 486  47 051  11 088  21 799  14 895  (94 164 86 292    24 604  2 262  1 470  8 152  8 045  (219 (30 962 13 352 

Payments on borrowings

   (13 370 (4 049 (2 200 (410 (962 (5 600 2 974  (23 617   (20 574 (5 876 (1 306 (6 541 (12 813 (46 006 69 783  (23 333

Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

   (628 (64 (5 (31 (3 126 370   —    (3 484   (463  —     —    (22 2 011  (3 024  —    (1 498

Payment of lease liabilities

   —     —     —    (44  —    (329  —    (373

Dividends paid

   (7 134  —     —     —     —    (10 573 9 257  (8 450   (7 992 (75  —     —     —    (1 285 77  (9 275

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   59 926   373   44 847   10 732   15 511   1 276   (81 933  50 731    14 169   (3 689  164   1 573   (23 937  (48 512  38 898   (21 334

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (7 423  (584  (1 142  1 383   19 365   (10 858  24   764 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents on continuing operations

   10 438   87   554   341   (19 360  9 548   (157  1 451 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents on discontinued operations

   —     —     —     —     —     827   —     827 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

   (1 832 739  525  122   
(1
222
 
 8 578   —    6 910    (10 244 155  (617 1 464  18 376  (739  —    8 395 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

   (989  —     —     —    194  1 540  (24 721    (268  —    72  28  1 583  (1 891 157  (319

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of year

   (10 245  154   (618  1 505   18 377   (740  —    8 395    (74  242   9   1 833   599   7 745   —     10 355 

36.

36. Events after the balance sheet date

None.

BOND ISSUANCE

37.

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 COMPANIES

 

NAME AND REGISTERED OFFICE OF FULLY CONSOLIDATED
COMPANIES
Name and registered office of fully consolidated companies

  % OF ECONOMICof economic
INTEREST AS ATinterest as at
31 DECEMBER 2018December 2019
 

ARGENTINA

  

CERVECERIA Y MALTERIA QUILMES SAICA y G - Charcas 5160 - C1425BOF - Buenos Aires

   61.8861.85 

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. – Grand 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.BV/SRL - Industrielaan 21 - 1070 – Brussel

   100.00 

BOTSWANA

  

Kgalagadi Breweries (Pty) LtdKGALAGADI BREWERIES (PTY) LTD - Plot 20768, Broadhurst industrial estate - Gaborone1

   31.00 

BOLIVIA

  

CERVECERIA BOLIVIANA NACIONAL S.A. - Av. Montes 400 and Chuquisaca No. 121, Zona Challapampa - La Paz

   61.8852.97 

BRAZIL

  

AMBEV S.A. - Rua Dr Renato Paes de Barros, 1017, 3° andar, Itaim Bibi - CEP04530-001 - São Paulo

   61.8861.85 

CANADA

  

LABATT BREWING COMPANY LIMITED - 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 299 - M5J 1A7 – Toronto

   61.8861.85 

CHILE

  

CERVECERIA CHILE S.A. - Av. Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva 9600 - 8700000 – Quilicura

   61.8861.85 

CHINA

  

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (CHINA) SALES CO LTD. - Shangshou, Qin Duan Kou, Hanyang Area - 430051 - Wuhan City, Hubei Province

   100.0087.22 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (WUHAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - Shangshou, Qin Duan Kou, Hanyang Area - 430051 - Wuhan City, Hubei Province

   97.0684.66 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (FOSHAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - 1 Budweiser Avenue, Southwest St., Sanshui District - 528132 - Foshan City, Guangdong

   100.0087.22 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV HARBIN BREWERY CO. LTD. - 9 HaPi Road Pingfang District - 150066 - Harbin City, Heilongijang Province

   100.0087.22 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (TANGSHAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - 18, Yingbin Road - 063300 - Tangshan City, Hebei Province

   100.0087.22 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV SEDRIN BREWERY CO. LTD. - 660 Gong Ye Road, Hanjiang District - 351111 - Putian City, Fujian Province

   100.0087.22

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 2019
 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV SEDRIN (ZHANGZHOU) BREWERY CO. LTD. - Lantian Economic District - 363005 - Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province

   100.0087.22 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (TAIZHOU) BREWERY CO. LTD. - 159 Qi Xia East Road, Chengguan Town, Tiantai County - 317200 - Taizhou Cithy, Zhejiang Province

   100.0087.22 

NANCHANG ASIA BREWERY CO. LTD. - 1188 Jinsha Avenue, Economic District - Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province

   100.0087.22 

SIPING GINSBER DRAFT BEER CO. LTD. - Xianmaquan, Tiedong Area - Siping City, Jilin Province

   100.0087.22 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (NANTONG) BREWERY CO. LTD. - 666 Zhaoxia Road - Nantong City, Jiangsu Province

   100.0087.22 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (SICHUAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - No. 1, AB InBev Avenue, Cheng Nan Industry Park, Economic Development Area - 641300 - Ziyang City, Sichuan Province

   100.0087.22 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (HENAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - No. 1 Budweiser Avenue, Industry Park, Tangzhuang Town - 453100 - Weihui City, Henan Province

   100.0087.22 

INBEV JINLONGQUAN (HUBEI) BREWERY CO. LTD. - 89 Jin Long Quan Avenue - Jingmen City, Hubei Province

   60.0052.33 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (SUQIAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - No 1 Qujiang Road, Suyu Industry Park - Suqian City, Jiangsu Province

   100.0087.22 

COLOMBIA

  

BOGOTA BEER COMPANY BBC S.A.S. - Carrera 53 A, No 127 - 35 - 110221 – Bogota

97.22

BAVARIA S.A. S.A. - Carrera 53 A, No 127 - 35 - 110221 – Bogota

99.00

AMBEVZX VENTURES COLOMBIA S.A.S. - 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 2018100.00
 

BAVARIA & CIA S.C.A. - Carrera 53 A, No 127 - 35 - 110221 – Bogota

94.90

KOPPS COMERCIAL S.A.S - Carrera 53 A, No 127 - 35 - 110221 – Bogota

100.00

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

   52.42 

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

   95.58 

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

   60.00 

GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBoURGLUXEMBOURG

  

BRASSERIE DE LUXEMBOURG MOUSEL - DIEKIRCH - 1, Rue de la Brasserie -L-9214 – Diekirch

   95.82 

1

85% owned by Ambev S.A

Name and registered office of fully consolidated companies

% of economic
interest as at

31 December 2019

HONDURAS

  

CERVECERÍA HONDUREÑA, SA DE CV - Blvd. Del Norte, Carretera Salida a Puerto Cortes - San Pedro Sula, Cortes

   99.00 

HONG KONG

BUDWEISER BREWING CO APACT LTD - Flat Room 1823 18F Soundwill PlazaII-Middle Town Hong Kong (SAR)

87.22

INDIA

  

CROWN BEERS INDIA LIMITED -#8-2-684/A, Road No. 12 - Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500034 - Andhra Pradesh

   100.00 

SABMILLERANHEUSER BUSCH INBEV INDIA LIMITED LTD.LIMITED. - UnitNo.301-302, Dynasty Business Park, 3rd Floor - Andheri - Kurla Road, Andheri (East) - 400059 - Mumbai, Maharashtra

   99.60 

ITALY

  

Anheuser-Busch Inbev Italia SpAANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV ITALIA SPA - Piazza Buffoni 3, 21013 Gallarate

   100.00 

MEXICO

  

CERVECERIA MODELO DE MEXICO S. DE R.L. DE C.V - Javier Barros Sierra 555 Piso 3 - Zedec Ed Plaza Santa Fe - 01210 Mexico City

   100.00 

MOZAMBIQUE

  

CERVEJAS DE MOÇAMBIQUE SA - Rua do Jardim 1329 - Maputo21

   49.00 

THE NETHERLANDS

  

INBEV NEDERLAND N.V. - Ceresstraat 1 - 4811 CA – Breda

   100.00 

INTERBREW INTERNATIONAL B.V. - Ceresstraat 1 - 4811 CA – Breda

   100.00 

AB InBev Africa B.V.-INBEV AFRICA B.V - Ceresstraat 1, 4811 CA – Breda

   62.00 

AB InBev Botswana B.V.-INBEV BOTSWANA B.V. - Ceresstraat 1, 4811 CA – Breda

   62.00 

NIGERIA

  

BEVERAGE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED LTD. - 58 Akanbi Onitiri Close, Off Eric Moore Road, Surelere – Lagos

   50.00 

INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC - Lawrence Omole Way, Omi Osoro Road, Imo Ilesha, Osun State1

   37.50 

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

   61.8861.85 

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

   93.65 

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.

NAME AND REGISTERED OFFICE OF FULLY CONSOLIDATED
COMPANIES

% OF ECONOMIC
INTEREST AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2018

SOUTH AFRICA

  

SABSA HOLDINGS LTD PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY - 65 Park Lane, Sandown - 2001 – Johannesburg

   100.00 

THE SOUTH AFRICAN BREWERIES (PTY) LTD LIMITED BY SHARES - 65 Park Lane, Sandown - 2146 – Johannesburg

   91.55 

SOUTH KOREA

  

ORIENTAL BREWERY CO., LTD - 8F, ASEM Tower, 517, Yeongdong-daero,Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06164, S. Korea

   100.0087.22 

SWITZERLAND

  

1

The 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 2019

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV PROCUREMENT GMBH GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRÄNKTER HAFTUNG (GMBH) - Suurstoffi 22 – 6343 - Rotkreuz

   100.00 

TANZANIA

  

KIBO BREWERIES LTD PRIVATE COMPANY - Uhuru Street, Plot No 79, Block AA, Mchikichini, Ilala District - - Dar es Salaam1

   36.00 

UGANDA

  

NILE BREWERIES LTD - Plot M90 Yusuf Lule Roa, Njeru, Jinja - Eastern Uganda

   61.7661.64 

UNITED KINGDOM

  

ABI SAB GROUP HOLDING LIMITED - AB InBev House, Church Street West - GU21 6HT - WokingBureau, 90 Fetter Lane, London, United Kingdom, EC4A 1EN

   100.00 

ABI UK HOLDINGS 1 LIMITED - Porter Tun House, 500 Capability Green - LU1 3LS – Luton

   100.00 

AB INBEV UK LIMITED - Porter Tun House, 500 Capability Green - LU1 3LS – Luton

   100.00 

AB INBEV HOLDINGS LIMITED - AB InBev House, Church Street West - GU21 6HT - WokingBureau, 90 Fetter Lane, London, United Kingdom, EC4A 1EN

   100.00 

AB INBEV INTERNATIONAL BRANDS LIMITED - AB InBev House, Church Street West - GU21 6HT - WokingBureau, 90 Fetter Lane, London, United Kingdom, EC4A 1EN

   100.00 

ZX VENTURES LIMITED - Porter Tun House, 500 Capability Green - LU1 3LS – Luton

   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 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

   61.8861.85 

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

   100.0087.22 

ZAMBIA

  

ZAMBIAN BREWERIES PLC - Mungwi Road, Plot Number 6438, Lusaka

   54.00 

LIST OF MOST IMPORTANT ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

 

NAME AND REGISTERED OFFICE OF ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURESName and registered office of associates and joint ventures

  % OF ECONOMICof economic
INTEREST AS ATinterest as at
31 DECEMBER 2018december 2019
 

FRANCE

  

SOCIÉTÉ DES BRASSERIES ET GLACIÈRES INTERNATIONALES SA - 30 AV George V, 75008,49 Rue François 1er, 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 EfesINBEV EFES - 28 Moscovskaya Street, Moscow region - 141607 – Klin

   50.00 

 

F-87F-100