BELGIUM: A-B InBev shareholder cuts stake

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 12 June 2009

Anheuser-Busch InBev has confirmed that major shareholder BRC Sarl is to sell a "very small fraction" of its stake in the brewer.

Responding to a report from Bloomberg yesterday (11 June), a spokesperson for A-B InBev told just-drinks today that the sale will occur through a private transaction which does not involve A-B InBev.

While the spokesperson did not confirm the size of the sale, Bloomberg cited people close to the situation as saying that BRC Sarl will divest 11m shares in the brewer, reducing its 23.5% stake.

The Brazil-based investment company, along with a group of Belgian families who controlled InBev - collectively known as EPS, "will continue to hold more than 50% of AB InBev's capital following the transaction", the spokesperson said.

"EPS and BRC have confirmed that this sale does not in any way impact their commitments under the A-B InBev Shareholders agreement," she added.

Sectors: Beer & cider

Companies: InBev, Anheuser-Busch