Brussels, Oct. 14- InBev today announced that, as a consequence of unprecedented volatility in the global capital markets, particularly during the last week, it has postponed its previously announced rights offering until market conditions stabilize.
The Board of Directors will continue to monitor market conditions to determine the appropriate time to launch the rights offering.
InBev reaffirms its expectation that it will complete the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch by year-end 2008 following approval by Anheuser-Busch shareholders and receipt of remaining regulatory approvals. The decision to postpone the equity offering will not affect completion of the combination with Anheuser-Busch.
InBev also reconfirms the strong support of its bank group, who has provided the financing for the transaction on the basis of certain funds commitments and complete loan documentation for both the USD45 billion acquisition facility and the USD9.8 billion equity bridge facility. The equity bridge facility has a post-closing maturity of six months, within which period InBev may tap the equity markets at any time.
In addition, EPS and BRC, holding in aggregate (directly and indirectly through the Stichting InBev) 60.76% of all outstanding InBev shares have reconfirmed their intentions, as stated on 6th October, including an intention to subscribe, in aggregate, for a number of shares equivalent to approximately EUR 1.2 billion of new funds (EUR 600 million by each of EPS and BRC) as and when the equity offering proceeds.
Carlos Brito, InBev CEO said: "The proposed combination between Anheuser-Busch and InBev will achieve value for our shareholders and create opportunities on a global basis for our consumers, employees, business partners, wholesalers and the communities they serve. We are moving forward confidently and expect to complete the combination of these two great companies by the end of the year to create the world's leading brewer."