AB InBev hikes dividend, sees Brazil, China challenges

BRUSSELS, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer, hiked its proposed dividend and forecast challenging markets in Brazil and China after fourth-quarter earnings came in below expectations.

The Belgium-based beer maker, which is set to buy next largest rival SABMiller (Xetra: BRW1.DE - news) for around $100 billion, raised its dividend to a total of 3.60 euros from 3.00 euro, compared with a market expectation of about 3.30.

The maker of Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois said core profit (EBITDA) for the fourth quarter grew by 6.6 percent on a like-for-like basis to $4.31 billion, against the median forecast in a Reuters poll was $4.73 billion.

(Reporting By Philip Blenkinsop)