BBD: Leo Kiely, “Best First Quarter Ever.”

LEO KIELY: "BEST FIRST QUARTER EVER IN U.S." Thanks to stronger sales and higher net pricing, Molson Coors had a great first quarter after experiencing losses this time last year. The company reported that in the first quarter of 2007, beer shipments to wholesalers rose 4.9% in the U.S. for three reasons: strong sales to retail growth (STRs); an increase in distributor inventories going into the peak selling season; and the revamped Virginia brewery.VOLUME INCREASES. STRs were up 2.9%, with