{
  "id": 4352270,
  "title": "Carlsberg sales to hold despite price hikes: analysts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/carlsberg-sales-to-hold-despite-price-hikes-analysts",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-30T05:50:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/08/1522007/carlsberg-sales-hold-despite-price-hikes-analysts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd is set to maintain steady sales despite price hikes in the second half of 2026, according to analysts. The company's cost optimisation and marketing strategies are expected to help mitigate the impact of higher product prices, according to RHB Research. However, the overall consumption environment may become more challenging due to the conflicts in the Middle East affecting supply chains and production costs. The brewer has also observed an increase in contraband incidence, as cautious consumer sentiment and spending have created a more favorable environment for illicit trades. In response, management is working closely with authorities to facilitate efforts to clamp down on these illegal activities. Despite weaker-than-expected sales performance in the first half of fiscal year 2026, Carlsberg's earnings for the same period were still below expectations. RHB Research has lowered its earnings forecast for the group until FY28 and maintained a 'Buy' rating with a target price of RM18.80, implying a 15 times price-to-earnings ratio for FY27. Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd noted that beer prices in Malaysia could increase further in 2H FY26 as most major promotions to offset the excise duty-driven price hike expire. Nevertheless, the bank is not overly concerned about a steep decline in sales volume, as FIFA 2026 and the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang may boost tourist inflows. The bank also highlighted that Carlsberg's core earnings for 2H FY26 met expectations, accounting for 48% of the full-year forecasts, and the company received a 'Buy' rating with an unchanged target price of RM24.86.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd is not expected to see a steep decline in sales despite higher product prices in the second half of 2026 (2H FY26), as its cost optimisation and marketing initiatives could mitigate the impact, said analysts.",
  "key_points": [
    "Carlsberg sales expected to stay steady despite price hikes in 2H 2026",
    "Cost optimization and marketing strategies to mitigate impact of higher product prices",
    "Management working with authorities to combat contraband incidence rise"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Carlsberg's steady sales outlook hinges on effective cost optimisation and marketing strategies countering price hikes and contraband trade, with analysts still backing the stock despite near-term challenges.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}