Heineken USA Down 1.7% in First Half

Dear Client:Heineken announced its first half results, with global profits up 17% on cost reductions. But in the United States "high unemployment levels and weak consumer confidence" which affected the "import segment but appears to be fading off versus a year ago." HUSA volumes were down 1.7%, but there was a "strong performance of Dos Equis" and Newcastle. The Dutch portfolio "was still lower although the trend improved significantly compared to last year." Profits grew double digits due to better