The owner of Miller Brewing Co. said on September 23 that sales of Miller Lite beer continued to grow in the third quarter, offset partially by declines in other brands. Miller Brewing's sales were up 2 percent for the quarter through mid-September, SABMiller plc said in a trading update Thursday. Its biggest brand, Lite, continued to grow sales in a trend that began late in the first half of 2003. Financial performance benefited from a favorable product mix and price increases, the company said, according to American City Business Journals.

SABMiller said profits increased in all of its businesses worldwide. The company did not disclose profit figures.

SABMiller was created with the acquisition of Milwaukee-based Miller Brewing Co. by South African Breweries plc, which was based on Johannesburg, South Africa, and had additional management offices in London.

25 September, 2004