Carlsberg A/S (CPSE:CARL B) is looking forward to make investments in Asia the focus market for Carlsberg, Jørgen Buhl Rasmussen, an Executive at Carlsberg announced.

Carlsberg A/S reported unaudited earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the period, the company reported net revenue of DKK 13,278 million against DKK 12,775 million for the same period in the last year. Operating profit before special items was DKK 661 million against DKK 574 million for the same period in the last year. Profit before tax was DKK 241 million against DKK 59 million for the same period in the last year. Consolidated profit attributable to shareholders of the company was DKK 119 million or DKK 0.4 per share against consolidated loss attributable to shareholders of the company of DKK 120 million or DKK 0.5 per share for the same period in the last year. Adjusted consolidated profit attributable to shareholders of the company was DKK 104 million or DKK 0.7 per share against adjusted consolidated loss attributable to shareholders of the company of DKK 33 million or DKK 0.2 per share for the same period in the last year. Interest-bearing debt, net was DKK 36,311 million against DKK 36,209 million for the same period in the last year. Negative cash flow from operating activities was DKK 764 million against DKK 1,122 million for the same period in the last year. Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets was DKK 993 million against DKK 1,043,000 for the same period in the last year. The company reaffirmed earnings guidance for 2013. The group's earnings expectations for 2013 are unchanged: operating profit before special items of around DKK 10 billion and adjusted net profit to increase by a mid-single-digit percentage. The assumptions underlying the earnings expectations also remain unchanged: The tax rate is expected to be 24-25%. Capital expenditures are expected to remain at the level of 2012.

Carlsberg A/S (CPSE:CARL B) is interested in the acquisition of stake in Belgrade Industry of Beer (BELEX:BIPB), reported Blic newspaper. Milivoje Draganic, Director of Belgrade Industry of Beer said, "BIP's ownership structure has not changed although we are in talks with Carlsberg. For now, I would not wish to comment on the dynamics of these discussions."