Heineken

European stocks closed at a fresh all-time high on Wednesday, with the STOXX 600 ending at 657.14 points, up 0.04%. France's CAC-40 closed at 8,669.30 points, gaining 0.03%, while London's FTSE 100 finished at 10,888.30 points, up 0.08%. Germany's DAX slipped 0.29% to 26,126.30 points. The market continued to focus on robust corporate earnings despite lingering concerns over Middle East tensions. Glencore jumped 4.1% after reporting an 86% surge in first-half profit that beat expectations. Heineken rose 2.2% after its first-half profit came in ahead of forecasts. Novo Nordisk fell 4.3% even after raising its full-year sales and profit outlook, as investors worried that sales of its new Wegovy pill slightly missed estimates and that trial results for CagriSema, a next-generation obesity drug, faced delays. Novo Nordisk is striving to reclaim market share from Eli Lilly in the fast-growing obesity drug market. Although the company was Europe's most valuable listed firm in 2024, it has since lost significant market value.

Heineken's first-half organic operating profit climbed 6.7%, more than double the roughly 3.3% analysts had expected, as the global brewing giant's restructuring plan passed the halfway mark with around 3,000 job cuts. Management now expects productivity savings to land near the top end of its 400 million to 500 million euro target. Incoming CEO Rafael Oliveira, who takes the helm in October, inherits a leaner business but still faces patchy beer demand across the Americas and cost pressures from geopolitical tensions and extreme weather. The shares trade at $45.81, about 2.2% below a GF Value of $46.86, suggesting the market has not fully priced in the improving execution.

Heineken reported a sharp increase in UK sales of its Cruzcampo and Murphy’s brands in the first half of 2026, as global profits rose following about 3,000 job cuts. The volume of Spanish lager Cruzcampo jumped more than 30% year-on-year, boosted by the launch of its Sevilla Orange flavour, while Irish stout Murphy’s doubled in volume driven by on-trade growth and the rollout of cans in shops. The brewer also highlighted a rebound in Foster’s sales and double-digit growth for premium cider Inch’s. Global revenues reached 17.56 billion euros, up 3.8% from the same period in 2025, and organic operating profit rose 6.7% to 2.17 billion euros. The job cuts were part of a restructuring plan to eliminate 5,000 to 6,000 roles over two years, aiming for cost savings at the top end of a 400 million to 500 million euro range.

Heineken N.V. reported a first-half profit of €1.125 billion, or €2.05 per share, up from €744 million, or €1.33 per share, a year earlier. Revenue rose 4.7% to €14.841 billion from €14.180 billion in the same period last year.

Heineken N.V. reported its 2026 half-year results, delivering volume growth and robust profit delivery as its EverGreen 2030 strategy accelerates. Total volume increased 1.6%, with consolidated volume up 0.4% and licensed volume surging 23.2%. Net revenue on a BEIA basis grew 2.7% organically to €14,834 million, while operating profit rose 6.7% to €2,170 million, expanding the operating profit margin by 55 basis points to 14.6%. Diluted EPS on a BEIA basis reached €2.29, up 11.6% from €2.08 in the prior year. The company reduced full-time equivalents by approximately 3,000 in the first half, advancing planned organizational changes, and gross savings are on track at the top end of the €400–500 million range. Free operating cash flow was €1.4 billion, and the second tranche of the €1.5 billion share buyback program is on track. Heineken reiterated its full-year 2026 operating profit growth guidance of 2% to 6%.

Heineken N.V. reported the repurchase of 70,887 shares on exchange at an average price of €78.49 from 27 July to 31 July 2026, as part of the second €750 million tranche of its €1.5 billion share buyback programme. During the same period, 71,397 shares were repurchased from Heineken Holding N.V. Since the start of the second tranche, a total of 5,415,780 shares have been bought back for a total consideration of €380,126,406, including those acquired from Heineken Holding N.V. The company provides weekly updates on the programme's progress on its website.

Heineken N.V. has reported transaction details for the second €750 million tranche of its €1.5 billion share buyback programme. From 6 July to 10 July 2026, the company repurchased 145,321 shares on exchange at an average price of €75.93, and an additional 161,102 shares from Heineken Holding N.V. Cumulatively, 4,977,403 shares have been bought back under this second tranche for a total consideration of €346,379,532, including shares acquired from Heineken Holding N.V.

Heineken N.V. has reported transaction details for the second 750 million euro tranche of its 1.5 billion euro share buyback programme. From 6 July to 10 July 2026, the company repurchased 145,321 shares on exchange at an average price of 75.93 euros, and an additional 161,102 shares from Heineken Holding N.V. Since the start of the second tranche, total repurchases have reached 4,977,403 shares for a combined consideration of 346,379,532 euros, including those bought from Heineken Holding.

Keurig Dr Pepper reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, targeting net sales between $25.9 billion and $26.4 billion and low double-digit constant-currency EPS growth. The announcement came alongside news that Rafa Oliveira, head of the Coffee Operating Unit, will depart at the end of July 2026 to become CEO of Heineken starting October 1. The company has begun a search for his replacement as it prepares to split into two US-listed companies, Beverage Co. and Global Coffee Co. CEO Tim Cofer said the business has strong momentum and remains focused on executing its 2026 priorities, including integrating JDE Peet's and achieving separation milestones.

Heineken has appointed Rafael Oliveira as its next CEO, marking the first time the world's second-largest brewer has chosen an external leader. Oliveira, currently CEO of Dutch coffee and tea group JDE Peet's, will assume the role on October 1 pending shareholder approval at an August 5 extraordinary meeting. He succeeds Dolf van den Brink, who departed in May, and brings experience from Kraft Heinz and Goldman Sachs. The appointment signals a push for sharper execution and financial discipline as Heineken faces soft beer volumes and shifting consumer habits under its EverGreen 2030 strategy.