BELGIUM: A-B InBev readies EUR6.26bn rights issue

Author: just-drinks.com editorial team | 24 November 2008

Anheuser-Busch InBev has lined up a rights issue to help fund the newly-named company's recent acquisition of Anheuser-Busch.

The global beer giant, which closed the purchase of A-B last week for US$52bn, said today that it will launch an eight-for-five rights offering of just under 1bn shares, in the hope of raising EUR6.26bn (US$8.03bn). Existing shareholders will be invited to purchase eight shares in A-B InBev for every five they already own, at a subscription price of EUR6.45 per new share.

"The rights offering is being undertaken to refinance part of the consideration paid in connection with the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch, which closed on 18 November," the company said today (24 November). Subscription will be open only to the public in Belgium, on 9 December.

A-B InBev's controlling shareholders, made up mainly by Stichting InBev and the Brazilian families which were previously the controlling shareholders of AmBev - represented by BRC - have already confirmed that they plan to subscribe for around EUR2.8bn of new funds through the offering.

Sectors: Beer & cider

Companies: InBev, Anheuser-Busch