HEINEKEN N V S/ADR - HEINY STOCK NEWS

HEINEKEN N.V. announced the successful acquisition of Distell Group Holdings and Namibia Breweries Limited, creating a new majority-owned business named HEINEKEN Beverages. This strategic move aims to capture growth opportunities in Southern Africa and is expected to add over €1 billion in net revenue and €150 million in operating profit.

HEINEKEN plans significant investments exceeding €500 million over the next five years, including the construction of a new brewery and support for local enterprises. The acquisition reflects HEINEKEN's commitment to delivering a high-quality beverage portfolio to consumers and contributing to the economic development of the region.

On April 20, 2023, Heineken N.V. held its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM), where all agenda proposals were adopted. Notably, the AGM approved a total dividend of EUR 1.73 per share for 2022, consisting of a final dividend of EUR 1.23 per share, payable on May 2, 2023. Furthermore, Heineken's governance was strengthened with the re-appointments of Michel de Carvalho and Rosemary Ripley to the Supervisory Board for four-year terms. New board members Beatriz Pardo and Lodewijk Hijmans van den Bergh were also appointed for four years. Additionally, Deloitte Accountants B.V. was re-appointed as the external auditor for the financial year 2024. The voting results can be accessed on Heineken's website.

Heineken N.V. announced its trading update for Q1 2023, reporting a 9.2% revenue growth to €7,632 million, with net revenue (beia) rising 8.9%. However, beer volume experienced a 3.0% decline. The Heineken® brand saw a 2.3% growth in volume, with a notable 5.7% increase excluding Russia. Noteworthy highlights include a 51% increase in gross merchandise value through eB2B platforms. The company maintains its full-year outlook, expecting operating profit (beia) to grow mid- to high-single-digit. CEO Dolf van den Brink recognized mixed performance across regions, citing disappointments in Asia Pacific and Africa, while Europe showed resilience. Despite challenges, Heineken continues to invest in brand growth and expects to finalize the acquisition of Distell by April 26, adding significant revenue to its portfolio.

Heineken N.V. has successfully placed €2 billion in Notes, comprising €500 million of 1.5-year Notes with a 3.875% coupon, €750 million of 7.5-year Notes also at 3.875%, and €750 million of 12-year Notes with a coupon of 4.125%. The issuance is conducted under the Company’s Euro Medium Term Note Programme and will be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Proceeds will fund general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. The maturity dates are set for 23 September 2024, 23 September 2030, and 23 March 2035.

HEINEKEN N.V. has received final regulatory approval from the South African Competition Tribunal for its acquisition of Distell Group Holdings Limited. This decision enables the formation of a regional beverage champion, combining Distell with Namibia Breweries Limited and HEINEKEN South Africa into a new majority-owned entity. The total investment is approximately €2.4 billion for a 65% stake, with funding sourced from a mixture of cash and owned assets. The deal is projected to be EPS accretive this year and aims to realize significant revenue and cost synergies over the medium term, enhancing HEINEKEN's market position in Southern Africa.