Anheuser-Busch InBev SA, the producer of Budweiser, has announced plans to increase investment in its core major brands.

The company reported its first volume increase in three years, with organic beer volume rising by 0.8%. This positive performance has driven the company's stock price higher, signaling a potential recovery for the beer industry.

The world's largest brewer, whose portfolio includes brands such as Stella Artois, Corona, and Budweiser, saw overall beer volume grow by 0.8% in the first quarter. This growth ends a trend of continuous decline that began in mid-2023, a period marked by weakened consumer demand due to high inflation and a shift towards healthier drinking habits.

Market consensus expectations indicated that analysts had anticipated a continued decline, making the return to growth a positive surprise.

Specifically for the beer category, first-quarter volume increased by 1.2% year-over-year. This growth was primarily driven by record-breaking sales performances in certain Latin American markets.

The company, which is listed in Brussels, Belgium, saw its shares surge 6.4% in early trading to 67.18 euros. In addition to Stella Artois, classic Belgian brands like Leffe and Hoegaarden are also part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev portfolio.

The return to volume growth for Anheuser-Busch InBev further signals an industry-wide recovery. After years of global beer volume stagnation, signs of a rebound are now appearing. Last week, the Danish brewer Carlsberg noted that demand for premium beer boosted its volume and revenue early in the year. Similarly, Dutch brewer Heineken also reported a return to quarterly volume growth during the same period.

Anheuser-Busch InBev's CEO, Michel Doukeris, commented, "A toast to the recovery of the beer industry."

However, beer volume in the company's North American market continued to decline year-over-year, indicating ongoing challenges in this key region.

Doukeris stated that Anheuser-Busch InBev plans to further increase investment in its leading core brands to capitalize on future growth opportunities.

"We are fully prepared for 2026," he said. Like other beverage companies, Anheuser-Busch InBev is optimistic about a sales boost this summer, anticipating that the upcoming World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico will drive a surge in fan consumption.

Analysts at RBC Capital Markets noted in a research report that the strong first-quarter performance provides solid support for the stock's robust showing.

"Finally, a sigh of relief... the final results exceeded expectations," the report stated.

The volume recovery contributed to first-quarter revenue that surpassed expectations, reaching $15.27 billion. Adjusted net profit rose to $1.92 billion. EBITDA increased in line with revenue, reaching $5.44 billion, with the margin remaining largely stable.

Bolstered by the strong quarterly report, Anheuser-Busch InBev maintained its full-year EBITDA guidance, which aligns with its medium-term growth expectation of 4% to 8%. Analysts project the company's full-year EBITDA will grow by 5.1%.