Emperador 9-month net hits P5.3B

Tycoon Andrew Tan-led liquor-maker Emperador Inc. saw a 1.9-percent growth in net profit in the first nine months to P5.3 billion, driven by a double-digit growth in sales revenue.

Nine-month revenue hit P33.8 billion, up by 11 percent from year-ago level, Emperador yesterday told the Philippine Stock Exchange.

“Long-term growth in international operations should help maintain and diversify profitability. Our luxury single malt whisky, The Dalmore, is leading our premium Scotch whisky business followed by Fettercairn, Tamnavulin, Jura and Shackleton. We also have a compelling brandy portfolio composed of the world’s leading brandy by volume, Emperador, Spanish brandies Fundador and Tres Cepas, and Mexican brandy Presidente,” Emperador president Winston Co said.

Emperador products are sold in more than 100 countries. In August, premium brandy Fundador Supremo 18 of its Spanish unit Bodegas Fundador, was proclaimed the world’s best brandy by a panel of 400 experts at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Meanwhile, Emperador extended its two-year share buyback of up to P5 billion that ended in May. Emperador can repurchase up to P3 billion worth of stocks until May 16, 2020. Since the start of the buyback two years ago, about 392.65 million shares have been bought back, valued at P2.83 billion.

Emperador is the world’s largest brandy company owning Emperador Brandy and Fundador Spanish Brandy de Jerez. It also owns storied Scottish firm Whyte & Mackay, maker of the Dalmore and Jura brands.