KUALA LUMPUR: Heineken Malaysia Bhd
has cautioned that the operating environment is expected to remain challenging amid economic headwinds and the impact of higher excise duties.
“We expect external conditions to be more challenging, with macroeconomic uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and the impact of excise duty increase in November 2025 on beer likely to continue weighing on consumer sentiment and demand.
“We remain focused on productivity improvements and operational efficiency, strengthening our core business through portfolio and channel optimisation, and the acceleration of our digital transformation to deliver long-term value,” managing director Martijn van Keulen said in a statement.
He also expressed appreciation to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department for stepping up enforcement efforts against illicit trade, saying it strengthens the industry ecosystem and safeguards legitimate industry players.
In the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2025 (4Q25), Heineken posted a higher net profit of RM141.2mil, or earnings per share of 46.76 sen, bringing its full-year net profit to RM459.3mil, or 152.05 sen.
Quarterly revenue rose to RM839mil, lifting full-year revenue to RM2.8bil.
“Heineken delivered a steady performance in 2025, underpinned by robust revenue strategies and efficient cost management. Despite challenging operating environment and softer consumer sentiment, we maintained solid profitability, demonstrating the resilience of our business fundamentals and the steadfast commitment of our people,” van Keulen said.
The board has declared a single-tier final dividend of 112 sen per share for FY25, subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming 62nd annual general meeting.
Upon approval, the total dividend declared for FY25 will amount to 152 sen per share, representing a payout ratio of 100%.
