The Fed hasn't stopped stubborn beer inflation
Fed chief Jerome Powell did his part in helping to stem a banking crisis in March, but he hasn't been able to halt another crisis that has direct implications for stomachs worldwide — stubborn inflation for the inputs that make ice-cold beer.
On Thursday, Corona and Modelo maker Constellation Brands (STZ) reported a 15% year-over-year plunge in its beer segment's operating profits for the just-completed quarter. The culprit: across-the-board inflation.
"Benefits from favorable pricing were more than offset by increased COGS [cost of goods sold] driven by higher packaging, raw materials, incremental depreciation, and logistics costs, and increased SG&A [selling, general and administrative] driven by increased headcount to align with the momentum of our beer brands," Constellation Brands said on its earnings release.
By comparison, lower grape prices in the company's wine business — led by top brands such as Kim Crawford — drove a 5% year-over-year improvement in that segment's operating profits in the quarter.
Constellation isn't alone in feeling the inflationary sting on beer input costs.
Budweiser giant AB-InBev (BUD) saw its operating profit margins fall to 24.6% in its most recent quarter from 25.7% last year, as reported in early March.
Similar to Constellation Brands, Ab-InBev called out elevated levels of inflation.
"Inflation was above what was originally planned [last year]," AB-InBev CEO Michel Doukeris told analysts on a conference call.
To try and offset the nagging input inflation, beer makers continue to push through price increases on consumers.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the average price of a 24-pack of 12 oz. beer went up nearly 8% per Nielsen data.
The at-home beer, ale, and other malt beverages category in the Consumer Price Index report showed a 7% year-over-year jump in February.
Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance's Executive Editor. Follow Sozzi on Twitter @BrianSozzi and on LinkedIn. Tips on the banking crisis or anything else? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com
Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Download the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or Android
Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and YouTube