Multinational: Beer leaders could crack open $100B merger

Experts suggest a mega-merger between the world’s largest beer conglomerates seems likely as four companies lead the market around the world and new beer markets are dwindling, say reports.

The time may be right for a $100 billion merger between Belgian-Brazilian leader Anheuser-Busche InBev and UK-based SABMiller, a deal that would cause a major industry shakeup as Latin American and African markets would merge.

According to reports, a merger between the two would seem most likely as Heineken is family-owned and Carlsberg is trust-protected; Heineken and Carlsberg are the third- and fourth-largest beer firms.

While analysts’ predictions of an AB InBev/SAB Miller merger are not new, such merger rumors calmed last year as SAB Miller announced a $20.1 billion buyout of Mexico’s Grupo Modelo brewery.

According to one unnamed banker with experience in beer sales, the $100 billion merger is “more a question of when, not if.”

Full content: Reuters

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