Carlsberg raised its full-year organic operating-profit growth forecast to 4% to 6% from 2% to 6%, targeting the upper end of its previous range as synergies from its 2025 acquisition of Britvic are being realized faster than expected. The company now expects to deliver about 50% of the total £110 million ($149 million) synergy target in 2026, compared with its previous estimate of 30% to 40%. First-half organic operating profit rose 5.9% year on year, ahead of the 4.4% Jefferies-compiled consensus, while total operating profit increased 4.5% to DKK 7.448 billion ($1.15 billion), below the existing estimate of DKK 7.55 billion. Organic sales volumes rose 1.7% and organic revenue increased 2.7%, both slightly below market forecasts. China remained weak, with second-quarter volumes down 6% and first-half volumes down 3% as adverse weather compounded softer demand. Soft drinks grew 9% organically and non-alcoholic beer rose 11%, highlighting Carlsberg’s effort to diversify beyond a mature beer market amid geopolitical risks, pressure on household finances and slowing Chinese demand.