Summary Box: World Cup boosts 2Q profit, sales at world’s largest brewer AB InBev

Summary Box: World Cup lifts AB InBev’s 2Q profit

BOTTOMS UP: Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, the world’s largest brewer, says World Cup fervor helped drive second-quarter profit and sales above expectations. Profit is seen continuing to rise for the rest of the year.

THE NUMBERS: The producer of Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck’s says net income rose nearly 8 percent to $1.15 billion with revenue up 4 percent to $9.2 billion. The Belgium-based company said beer sales rose 2 percent, with soft drinks up 5.5 percent.

WORLD CUP’S KICK: The World Cup was a boon for Budweiser, the company’s most recognizable brand but one that has been steadily losing market share over the last 20 years. Bud’s FIFA World Cup sponsorship kept volumes about flat in the first half of 2010.