InBev acquires Anheuser-Busch for $52 billion

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., Nov. 18 - InBev NV/SA completed its $52 billion acquisition of Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. to create one of the world's top-five consumer products companies, the companies announced on Tuesday.

In July, InBev, a Leuven, Belgium-based brewing company, and St. Louis-based brewer Anheuser-Busch agreed to combine to form Anheuser-Busch InBev in a deal valued at $70 per share.

Anheuser-Busch is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev and will keep its current headquarters location in St. Louis, which will also become the North American headquarters location for the combined company, an InBev news release said.

According to the release, Anheuser-Busch common stock ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday.

Anheuser-Busch InBev will begin trading under the new ticker symbol "ABI" on the Euronext Brussels Stock Exchange on Thursday.

"By bringing together these two great businesses, we have created a stronger, more competitive global company with a leading international brand portfolio and distribution network, and great potential for growth all over the world," Anheuser-Busch InBev chief executive officer Carlos Brito said in the release.

The board of directors of the combined company will be comprised of the existing directors of the InBev board and former Anheuser-Busch president and CEO August A. Busch IV.

A lending group of leading financial institutions provided $45 billion in debt financing and $9.8 billion in equity bridge financing for the transaction.

It was previously reported that to meet a U.S. Department of Justice requirement, InBev agreed to grant a perpetual and exclusive license to brew, market, distribute and sell the Labatt beer brands in the United States to an independent third party.

Divestiture of the Labatt business in the United States was expected to take place after the merger deal closed.

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