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COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Danish brewer Carlsberg expects organic growth in operating profit to fall short of last year’s level, it said on Friday after posting fourth-quarter sales above expectations.
Carlsberg said organic operating profit is expected to grow by 0-7% in 2022, down from 12.5% growth last year, citing higher costs and continued coronavirus restrictions.
“We’re very satisfied with the group’s 2021 performance. Although our business was significantly impacted by COVID-19, we delivered strong top and bottom line growth and free cash flow,” Chief Executive Cees ‘t Hart said in a statement.
“The significantly higher input costs and continued impact from COVID-19 will pose challenges in 2022, but we’re well prepared.”
The world’s third-biggest brewer said sales in the fourth quarter reached 15.2 billion Danish crowns ($2.34 billion), against 14.7 billion crowns estimated by analysts in a company poll.
($1 = 6.4918 Danish crowns)
Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-PedersenEditing by David Goodman
