New York, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--USA TODAY, part of USA TODAY Co., Inc. (NYSE: TDAY), announced Budweiser, an Anheuser-Busch brand, as the winner of the 38th USA TODAY Ad Meter competition. Budweiser's "American Icons†Super Bowl commercial delivers one of the game's most stirring emotional moments, pairing its legendary Clydesdales with a soaring American bald eagle in a visually powerful celebration of American spirit. Set to Lynyrd Skynyrd's iconic song "Free Bird,†the spot taps into Budweise. ...

Core Insights - AB InBev has entered into an exclusive partnership with Live Nation in the UK, becoming the sole beer and cider partner for various festivals, venues, and outdoor shows, connecting its brands to millions of music fans of legal drinking age [1][5] Group 1: Partnership Details - The partnership includes major events such as the Reading & Leeds Festival and TRNSMT, as well as over 20 festivals and all Academy Music Group venues, including O2 Academy Brixton and O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire [2] - AB InBev's brands, including Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois, will be prominently featured, enhancing the live music experience for fans [4] Group 2: Marketing Strategy - The collaboration aims to integrate AB InBev's beverages into the live music culture, with a focus on creating memorable experiences through immersive activities and digital engagement [4] - The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between AB InBev and Live Nation, which has previously reached millions of fans globally [3][5] Group 3: Company Background - AB InBev is a publicly traded company based in Belgium, with a diverse portfolio of over 500 beer brands, including global and local favorites [6] - The company reported a revenue of 59.8 billion USD for 2024, excluding joint ventures and associates [6]

Core Insights - Anheuser-Busch has announced a $30 million investment in its Jacksonville Brewery and Can Plant to increase production of Michelob ULTRA, which is the top-selling and fastest-growing beer in the U.S. [1][2] Investment and Economic Impact - The $30 million investment is part of Anheuser-Busch's Brewing Futures initiative, which has seen over $300 million invested in U.S. facilities in the past year to support American manufacturing jobs [2][3] - The investment aims to enhance brewing and packaging capabilities, thereby expanding the production capacity for Michelob ULTRA and contributing to local economic growth [2][3] Market Position - Michelob ULTRA is recognized as the 1 top-selling beer nationwide and in Florida, with strong performance in bars and restaurants as confirmed by Nielsen [2][3] Community and Workforce Development - The investment is expected to create new jobs and provide opportunities for workforce development in Jacksonville, aligning with local government support for manufacturing growth [3][5] - Anheuser-Busch has invested over $100 million in its Jacksonville facilities since 2021, part of nearly $2 billion invested across its 100 U.S. facilities in the last five years [3][4] Company Overview - Anheuser-Busch has a legacy of over 165 years in brewing and is committed to creating economic prosperity through investments in people, facilities, and communities [4][5] - The company is recognized as the only alcohol manufacturer investing at such a scale in the U.S. [4]

Sector Overview - Vice stocks experienced mixed performance in 2025, with Philip Morris International rising nearly 34% and AB InBev increasing about 29%, while Molson Coors fell 18% [1] - Despite challenges, vice stocks are considered "recession-proof" and are expected to remain resilient in the market [2] Cannabis Industry - President Trump signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, marking a significant regulatory change for the cannabis sector [4] - Companies in the cannabis industry are facing difficulties accessing financial services and capital, leading to investor wariness [4] Nicotine Market - The shift towards smokeless products is evident, with 41% of Philip Morris's revenue derived from smoke-free products like Zyn [4] - Philip Morris successfully defended against a class-action lawsuit regarding pricing practices for Zyn, the only FDA-approved nicotine pouch [4] Alcohol Sector - Sales of beer, wine, and spirits are declining, with Molson Coors reporting a loss of $2.9 billion in the fall quarter and anticipating a 4% sales drop this year [4] - AB InBev reported its slowest profit growth since 2021, while the industry faces challenges from the "sober-curious" trend [4]

Core Viewpoint - Anheuser-Busch InBev is closing two breweries in the US and selling another to focus on investing in remaining operations and growing brands [1][2]. Group 1: Brewery Closures and Sales - AB InBev is shutting down breweries in Fairfield, California, and Merrimack, New Hampshire, while selling a brewery in Newark, New Jersey [1][2]. - Approximately 475 employees will be affected, but the company will offer them full-time roles in other US operations [2]. Group 2: Financial Performance - In the first nine months of 2025, AB InBev's US revenue declined by 1.2%, with sales to retailers falling by 3.1% and sales to wholesalers decreasing by 3% [2]. - In 2024, the company reported a 2% drop in US revenues, with retailer sales down by 5% and wholesaler sales down by 3.9% [3]. Group 3: Investments and Acquisitions - AB InBev has announced investments in other US breweries, including projects in Georgia and New York [3]. - The company is acquiring an 85% stake in BeatBox for up to $490 million, expanding its portfolio in the hard-punch beverage market [3][4].

Group 1: Broadcom and AI Trade - Broadcom is facing margin concerns after a strong Q4 performance, with expectations of a 100 basis points sequential decline in Q1 gross margin due to increased AI revenue share [4] - The company has a significant backlog of $73 billion in AI product orders scheduled over the next six quarters, but this includes lower-margin system sales [5] - Broadcom's market capitalization has surpassed that of Meta and Tesla, highlighting its importance in the AI sector following a 78% year-to-date rally [3] Group 2: Cannabis Industry - Cannabis producer stocks are rising on reports that President Trump may advocate for reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, which would recognize its medical applications [6][7] - A call was held involving Trump and several cannabis industry executives to discuss the reclassification proposal, although no final decision has been made [7] Group 3: Anheuser-Busch InBev - Anheuser-Busch InBev plans to close its Merrimack, N.H. brewery by early 2026 as part of a modernization effort, aligning with closures at other sites [8][9] - The company holds a leading position in the U.S. beer market with approximately 33% market share, with Michelob Ultra being the top-selling beer by volume [10]

Group 1: Broadcom and AI Trade - Broadcom is facing margin concerns after a strong Q4 performance, with expectations of a 100 basis points sequential decline in Q1 gross margin due to increased AI revenue share [4] - The company has a significant backlog of $73 billion in AI product orders scheduled over the next six quarters, but this includes lower-margin system sales [5] - Broadcom's market capitalization has surpassed that of Meta and Tesla, highlighting its importance in the AI sector [3] Group 2: Cannabis Industry - Cannabis producer stocks are rising on reports that President Trump may advocate for reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, which would recognize its medical applications [6][7] - A call was held involving Trump and several cannabis industry executives to discuss the reclassification proposal, although no final decision has been made [7] Group 3: Anheuser-Busch InBev - Anheuser-Busch InBev plans to close its Merrimack, N.H. brewery by early 2026 as part of a modernization effort, aligning with closures at other sites [8][9] - The company holds a leading position in the U.S. beer market with approximately 33% market share, with Michelob Ultra being the top-selling beer by volume [10]

Core Insights - Anheuser-Busch is selling its Newark, New Jersey brewery and closing two others in California and New Hampshire as part of a strategy to optimize production [1] - The company plans to shift production from these facilities to other U.S. operations, allowing for increased investment in remaining facilities and brands [2] Production Strategy - The Newark brewery, operational since 1951, will be sold to the Goodman Group in 2026, while the California and New Hampshire facilities will close in early 2026 [1] - Anheuser-Busch has invested nearly $2 billion in modernizing its U.S. manufacturing operations over the past five years [2] Employee Impact - A total of 475 full-time employees from the affected facilities will be offered relocation to other U.S. operations, with stipends and training provided [6][7] - Employees who do not accept the transfer will receive severance packages and additional resources [7] Overall Operations - Anheuser-Busch operates over 100 facilities across the United States [8] - The company emphasizes that these changes are not indicative of product performance and will not affect product availability [11]

Group 1: Partnership Announcement - The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that AB InBev will become the Official Beer Partner for all major ICC tournaments starting in 2026 [1][3] - The partnership will focus on Budweiser 0.0, a no-alcohol beer, particularly in India, while other AB InBev brands will be activated in Europe and Africa [1][2] Group 2: Strategic Importance - Cricket is a globally popular sport with over two billion fans, making it a significant platform for AB InBev to engage with consumers [3] - The partnership aims to enhance fan experiences and create memorable moments through innovative engagement strategies [3] Group 3: Event Involvement - The partnership includes all major ICC men's and women's events through 2027, such as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, and ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 [3] Group 4: Company Overview - AB InBev is a publicly traded company based in Leuven, Belgium, with a diverse portfolio of over 500 beer brands, including global names like Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois [5] - For 2024, AB InBev's reported revenue was 59.8 billion USD, indicating its strong market presence and financial performance [5]

Core Insights - Anheuser-Busch InBev is adapting to a significant shift in the alcohol industry, with a growing preference for ready-to-drink cocktails among consumers, leading to the acquisition of an 85% stake in BeatBox Beverages for approximately $490 million [3][4] - This acquisition is seen as a proactive strategy to capture future growth rather than a defensive measure, potentially serving as a catalyst for Anheuser-Busch's stock, which is currently trading around $60.48 [4] - BeatBox Beverages is a proven leader in its category, generating over $340 million in retail sales in the past year, with a sales volume increase of 90% in 2024 and projected growth of 34% in 2025 [5][6] Company Strategy - By acquiring BeatBox, Anheuser-Busch is securing a pre-built growth engine that aligns with the preferences of younger consumers, allowing for immediate access to a fast-growing product line [6] - The acquisition is part of a broader strategy to diversify revenue streams and mitigate the volatility associated with the traditional beer market, as evidenced by a 3.7% decline in global beer volumes in the third quarter of 2025 [7][8] - Anheuser-Busch's Beyond Beer portfolio is contributing to substantial revenue growth, and the company is committed to enhancing shareholder value through stock buybacks and consistent dividends [7]