NEW YORK (AFP) ? US brewing giant Anheuser-Busch acknowledged Wednesday "an unsolicited, non-binding" takeover bid from Belgian-Brazilian rival Inbev, saying it would "review the merits" of the offer.
The US firm based in St. Louis, Missouri said the offer was 65 dollars per share in cash, amounting to an estimated 46 billion dollars for all of the outstanding shares of Anheuser-Busch.
Anheuser-Busch said that its board of directors "will evaluate the proposal carefully and in the context of all relevant factors, including Anheuser-Busch's long-term strategic plan," according to a statement.
"The board will review the merits of the proposal consistent with its fiduciary duties and in consultation with its financial and legal advisers. The board will pursue the course of action that is in the best interests of Anheuser-Busch's stockholders."
The statement said the board expects to make a determination on InBev's proposal "in due course."
With a takeover, InBev, which claims the title of the world's biggest beermaker, would create close to a 100 billion dollar business in the most ambitious act of corporate consolidation since the start of last year's credit crunch shook the markets.
InBev, which already owns such brands as Stella Artois, Beck's and Leffe and Brahma, was likely to see a fight from August Busch, the family scion who is president and chief executive, according to some news reports.
Since the 2004 merger of Belgian group Interbrew and Brazilian brewer Ambev that created InBev, the group has focused on tapping into a growing taste for beer in fast developing countries.
Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.5 percent share of US beer sales. The company produces the US brands of Budweiser and Bud Light. It owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao.
The US firm based in St. Louis, Missouri said the offer was 65 dollars per share in cash, amounting to an estimated 46 billion dollars for all of the outstanding shares of Anheuser-Busch.
Anheuser-Busch said that its board of directors "will evaluate the proposal carefully and in the context of all relevant factors, including Anheuser-Busch's long-term strategic plan," according to a statement.
"The board will review the merits of the proposal consistent with its fiduciary duties and in consultation with its financial and legal advisers. The board will pursue the course of action that is in the best interests of Anheuser-Busch's stockholders."
The statement said the board expects to make a determination on InBev's proposal "in due course."
With a takeover, InBev, which claims the title of the world's biggest beermaker, would create close to a 100 billion dollar business in the most ambitious act of corporate consolidation since the start of last year's credit crunch shook the markets.
InBev, which already owns such brands as Stella Artois, Beck's and Leffe and Brahma, was likely to see a fight from August Busch, the family scion who is president and chief executive, according to some news reports.
Since the 2004 merger of Belgian group Interbrew and Brazilian brewer Ambev that created InBev, the group has focused on tapping into a growing taste for beer in fast developing countries.
Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.5 percent share of US beer sales. The company produces the US brands of Budweiser and Bud Light. It owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao.
