Company Description
Ambev S.A. (ABEV) is a publicly held company in the breweries industry within the broader manufacturing sector. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ABEV and on the B3 exchange in Brazil under the symbol ABEV3, as disclosed in multiple news releases regarding its annual reports on Form 20-F. Ambev is described in available reference data as the largest brewer in Latin America and the Caribbean and as the regional subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev.
According to the Polygon company description, Ambev produces, distributes, and sells beer and PepsiCo products in Brazil and other Latin American countries and owns Argentina's largest brewer, Quinsa. The same description notes that Ambev was formed in 1999 through the merger of Brazil's two largest beverage companies, Brahma and Antarctica, and that in 2004 Ambev combined with Canadian brewer Labatt, which resulted in Anheuser-Busch InBev holding a controlling interest in the company.
Corporate structure and ownership
Ambev identifies itself in SEC filings as a publicly held company with its corporate registration in Brazil, and its indirect controlling shareholder is Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV. A notice on related party transactions filed on Form 6-K explains that Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries are considered related parties and that Ambev is part of this broader corporate group. This relationship shapes how Ambev accesses group technologies and platforms and how it governs related party arrangements.
The company’s shares are traded both in Brazil and in the United States. Several SEC reports refer to common shares and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), and clarify that each ADR is equivalent to one common share. Ambev also reports on outstanding shares held in treasury and on transactions involving restricted share deliveries, demonstrating the existence of equity-based compensation and capital management practices.
Business activities and regional presence
Based on the Polygon description, Ambev’s core activities are the production, distribution, and sale of beer and other beverage products. It operates in Brazil and other Latin American countries, and it holds ownership of Quinsa, described as Argentina’s largest brewer. These activities place Ambev at the center of the beverage manufacturing and distribution chain in its region.
The company’s relationship with PepsiCo products, as referenced in the Polygon data, indicates that Ambev’s operations extend beyond beer into other beverages that it produces, distributes, and sells in its markets. While the detailed breakdown of product categories is not provided in the available sources, the emphasis on breweries and beverages is consistent across the industry classification and the reference description.
Corporate governance and policies
Ambev’s SEC filings provide insight into its governance framework. The company has a Board of Directors, an Executive Board, a Fiscal Board, and specialized committees such as a Governance Committee and a People Committee, as referenced in minutes of board meetings and policy documents. The Fiscal Board also performs functions comparable to an audit committee for purposes of certain U.S. regulations, subject to Brazilian law.
In a Form 6-K dated December 10, 2025, Ambev discloses a Policy on Remuneration and Concession of Options and Restricted Shares to the Executive Board. This policy describes fixed remuneration, benefits, variable remuneration in the form of bonuses, and share-based payment plans. It explains that executive compensation is structured with ranges based on market research, includes eligibility for bonuses tied to financial and operational indicators, and allows for the grant of stock options and restricted shares under plans approved by the general meeting and the Board of Directors.
The same policy outlines how promotions, both vertical and horizontal, are handled within the executive structure, and how bonus eligibility depends on factors such as admission date, performance goals, and length of service during the year. It also states that the Board of Directors can periodically review and amend the policy and that the People and Management Executive Board is responsible for implementing it.
Audit and compliance framework
Another Form 6-K filed in December 2025 sets out Ambev’s Policy on Hiring Services Related or Not Related to Auditing. This policy governs how the company and its controlled companies engage independent auditors for audit and non-audit services. It specifies that the Fiscal Board must issue a favorable statement before services are engaged, and that certain services are pre-approved through a “Basic List” subject to fee limits and periodic updates.
The policy defines concepts such as “Controlled Company” and “Affiliate” for the purpose of applying independence rules, and lists categories of services that are not authorized because they could compromise auditor independence, including bookkeeping, certain systems implementation, internal audit outsourcing, and other services described in the filing. It also explains the responsibilities of the Chief Financial Officer in submitting service requests, monitoring engagements, and ensuring that the Fiscal Board and Board of Directors review matters that fall outside the pre-approved list.
Related party transactions and digital platform use
In a notice on related party transactions filed on Form 6-K in December 2025, Ambev describes a transaction with its controlling shareholder Anheuser-Busch InBev and other subsidiaries concerning the use and operation of the BEES digital platform. The filing explains that BEES is a business-to-business (B2B) digital sales solution that comprises a range of BEES products and services and technology developed by Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries.
Under this arrangement, Ambev uses the BEES platform and pays an annual amount that, according to the filing, is aligned with market standards for similar technology and digital services agreements. The document states that the company’s Governance Committee reviewed the transaction based on an independent financial advisor’s assessment and that the Board of Directors approved it. The filing further notes that Ambev’s management considered factors such as operational synergy, system compatibility, scale, specific functionalities, and information security in opting to use the BEES platform, and concluded that the transaction meets arm’s length principles.
The agreement also provides Ambev with the possibility to acquire an equity interest or participate in a transaction if a third party joins the shareholding structure of the entity that holds rights over the BEES platform, taking into account investments made by Ambev. This illustrates how the company structures related party technology arrangements within its governance and regulatory framework.
Capital management, dividends, and interest on capital
Ambev’s filings also provide examples of its capital allocation practices. An extract of minutes from a Board of Directors meeting held on December 9, 2025, describes the approval of an extraordinary balance sheet as of November 30, 2025, and the subsequent decision to distribute dividends and interest on capital. The Board approved a distribution of dividends per share, with a portion allocated to the mandatory minimum dividend for the fiscal year and an additional portion paid from profit reserves, and set record dates and ex-dividend dates for both B3 and the New York Stock Exchange.
In a related notice to shareholders, Ambev reiterates the dividend and interest on capital decisions, clarifies that interest on capital will be paid based on profit reserves, and explains that the amount will not be allocated to the mandatory minimum dividend because that threshold has already been met. The notice also outlines how shareholders will receive payments through the depositary bank and how shareholders under fiduciary custody will receive proceeds according to stock exchange procedures.
These documents show that Ambev uses dividends and interest on capital as mechanisms to distribute profits to shareholders, subject to Brazilian corporate law and tax rules, and that such decisions are taken by the Board of Directors based on financial statements and profit reserves.
Share-based compensation and insider transactions
Several Form 6-K filings provide consolidated and individual forms under Article 11 of CVM Instruction 358/2002, detailing management and related persons’ transactions in Ambev securities. These forms summarize positions and monthly transactions for groups such as the Board of Directors, management, and related persons, and for the company’s own treasury shares.
The filings list initial and final balances of common shares and ADRs, as well as operations such as delivery of restricted shares, ownership transfers, purchases, and sales executed through brokers or directly with the company. They also reiterate that each ADR is equivalent to one common share. These disclosures illustrate how Ambev reports insider transactions and equity-based compensation in compliance with Brazilian and U.S. securities regulations.
Regulatory reporting and international presence
Ambev files an annual report on Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as indicated in multiple press releases announcing the availability of its annual reports for various years. These releases state that the Form 20-F includes the company’s complete audited financial statements, and that ADR holders can request hard copies free of charge. The reports are made available through the SEC’s EDGAR system and the company’s investor relations channels.
In addition, Ambev regularly furnishes current reports on Form 6-K to the SEC. These cover a range of topics, including notices to shareholders, policy updates, related party transactions, and information about shareholders’ meetings. One filing, for example, announces that an ordinary shareholders’ meeting is scheduled to be held on April 30, 2026, in accordance with applicable legislation, and notes that further information will be disclosed in due course.
Through these filings, Ambev demonstrates an ongoing presence in both the Brazilian and U.S. capital markets, with reporting obligations that reflect its status as a foreign private issuer with securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Historical development
The Polygon description provides a concise history of Ambev’s formation and corporate evolution. Ambev was created in 1999 by merging two major Brazilian beverage companies, Brahma and Antarctica. This merger consolidated significant brewing operations in Brazil. Later, in 2004, Ambev combined with Canadian brewer Labatt. As a result of this combination, Anheuser-Busch InBev obtained a controlling interest in Ambev, which aligns with the related party disclosures that identify Anheuser-Busch InBev as the company’s indirect controlling shareholder.
This historical background places Ambev within a larger global brewing group while maintaining its identity as a key brewer and beverage company in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Summary
In summary, Ambev S.A. is a brewery-focused manufacturing company with operations centered on producing, distributing, and selling beer and other beverage products in Brazil and across Latin America, as described in the Polygon data. It is part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev group, is listed on major stock exchanges in Brazil and the United States, and maintains a detailed governance, remuneration, audit, and related party framework as documented in its SEC filings. Its regular dividend and interest on capital distributions, share-based compensation programs, and use of digital platforms such as BEES are all described in official documents that reflect its approach to corporate governance and shareholder relations.