A PYMNTS Company

China: Beer megadeal said to be close to gaining approval

By  |  June 8, 2016

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV’s $107 billion acquisition of SABMiller Plc is nearing Chinese approval after the companies agreed to divest the maker of Snow beer, the world’s top-selling brand, people familiar with the matter said.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Approvals for both transactions could come as soon as this month based on typical review timelines, clearing one of the final hurdles for the biggest beer deal in history.

    Though China’s Ministry of Commerce may attach some conditions to the deal, including the Snow divestiture, regulators see no major hurdles, said one of the people. Some local beermakers told the ministry that they don’t object to the takeover as it won’t have a big impact on the Chinese market, another person said.

    SABMiller shares closed up 3 pence to 4,306 pence in London, erasing an earlier decline. AB InBev shares fell less than one percent to 114.95 euros in Belgium.

    The merged company would redraw control of the global beer market. Following divestitures, the deal will keep Budweiser, Beck’s and Stella Artois under AB InBev’s roof, while ceding control of brands including Miller in the US and Peroni and Pilsner Urquell in Europe.

    Full Content: Bloomberg

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.