Heineken beats first quarter forecasts as tariff risks loom

By Emma Rumney

LONDON (Reuters) -Heineken reported forecast-beating first-quarter sales on Wednesday and maintained its annual guidance but warned of ongoing volatility caused by uncertainty about the levels and scope of global tariffs.

Shares in the world's second-largest brewer by global volumes rose 2.8% in early trade as investors welcomed another quarter of delivery after Heineken cheered investors with its 2024 performance in February.

Some shareholders have in the past criticised Heineken for volatility in its results. But the brewer had already flagged a tougher start to 2025 due to factors, such as a late Easter, and its revenues and volumes both exceeded analysts' forecasts.

"Despite volatile consumer and geopolitical trends, we are performing within the range of expectations," CEO Dolf van den Brink said in a statement. 

Heineken said it sold more of its pricier labels, such as namesake brand Heineken, and saw strong growth in key markets like Vietnam, which has dragged on its performance in recent years.

It reported a 2.1% decline in organic beer volumes and a 0.9% increase in organic net revenues, against analyst expectations for a 2.9% and 0.6% decline respectively.

Heineken managed to "squeeze out a beat" in almost every geography despite a tough environment, said Laurence Whyatt, analyst at Barclays.

"Naysayers will point to tariff risks, but we see a more resilient company than was there last year," he said in a note.

Heineken did warn that uncertainty around tariffs, as well as weak consumer sentiment, inflation and currency changes presented risks ahead.

It still expects between 4% and 8% profit growth in 2025 despite an escalation in global trade tensions sparked by the current U.S. administration.

Since Heineken set its forecast in February, further U.S. tariff announcements, including some targeting beer in cans, have shocked markets, hurting consumer confidence, though a sweeping tariff increases have since been largely paused. 

(Reporting by Emma Rumney; Editing by Jan Harvey and Tomasz Janowski)