Heineken banking on Tiger beer sales in Asia to spur 2017 earnings growth

London

HEINEKEN NV, the world's second largest brewer, is forecasting growth in sales and profit this year as customers in Vietnam and other Asia markets drink more Tiger beer.

The Dutch company made the forecast on Wednesday as it reported its fastest earnings growth in seven years, driven by a 13 per cent increase in Asian revenue. The stock rose as much as 4.6 per cent in Amsterdam, the steepest intraday gain in more than a year.

"It's a good set of numbers ... and margin expansion this year. You couldn't really ask for better than th…