Carlsberg Malaysia, established in 1969, began brewing Carlsberg beer locally in 1972. The company primarily operates in Malaysia and Singapore and holds stakes in Sri Lanka. At its recent 54th annual general meeting (AGM), Carlsberg Malaysia provided valuable insights into its performance, strategies, and future plans. Here are my seven takeaways from the AGM: 1. Carlsberg Malaysia’s revenue decreased by 6.3% to RM2.3 billion but delivered a solid net profit of RM327.3 million, a 3.2% increase from 2022. The decrease in revenue was partly due to the shorter timing of the Chinese New Year celebration and a consumption slowdown, with mainstream and premium sales declining by 8% and 15%, respectively. Additionally, muted consumer sentiment and reduced discretionary spending, influenced by high inflation and interest rates, impacted overall industry volume, further contributing to the revenue decline. A total dividend of RM284.3 million (a dividend per share of 93 sen) was paid...