Modelo Hurts, Crown Deal Props Up A-B

You simply don't see headlines like that too often. Usually it's Modelo that is propping up a beleaguered A-B. But in its fourth quarter results issued yesterday, A-B revealed that its equity income, mostly Modelo, down 12% for the quarter "reflecting reduced Grupo Modelo export volume and increased production costs, partially offset by benefits from Modelo's Crown import joint venture." Modelo results are reported on a one month lag.That Modelo drop off in income brought A-B's overall earnings per share