Interbrew has reported excellent trading results over the first nine months of this year, despite the economic chill following the terrorist attacks on 11 September. On target to achieve its full-year growth projections, the company has also secured approval from the European Commission for its acquisition of Beck's beer. Compared with the same period last year and excluding Bass Brewers' UK beer business, both volume and net turnover were up by 18 per cent and 28 per cent respectively. Interbrew lifted volumes by 18 per cent to 56.1 million, while earnings rose (before tax) by 12.4 per cent to £512m. A spokesman said trading was influenced by good weather conditions during the summer and early autumn. Although too early to make a firm assessment, Interbrew says its North American operations have not been significantly affected by the tragedy in New York and Washington. The European Commission has cleared Interbrew's £1.12bn acquisition of Beck's, the German beer group, after the company agreed to change a clause in an export and distribution contract.
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