SABMiller earnings beat forecasts with 19 pct rise

LONDON, May 15 (Reuters) - SABMiller (SAB.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the world's biggest brewer, reported a 19 percent rise in annual earnings on Thursday and added beer volume growth in its current first-half will be affected by high input costs and comparative figures.

The London-based maker of Miller Lite, Peroni and Pilsner Urquell beers posted adjusted earnings per share of 143.1 U.S. cents for the year to March 31 compared to analyst forecasts of 134.1 to 142.1 cents with a consensus of 137.8 cents.

The group, which bought Dutch brewer Grolsch in February and is waiting for approval to combine its U.S. operations with Molson Coors (TAP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) proposed a full-year dividend up 16 percent at 58.0 U.S. cents a share. (Reporting by David Jones)