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Rap Sheet

Author:

Mahyar Hashemi

Subject:

Analysis

Date:

10/14/08 at 12:44 PM CDT

 

 

READ: 385

RPLY: 2

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RECS:1

Sentiment:

Strong Buy

Anheuser Busch Inc. - Safe Trade In This Market?

In this battered and volatile market few companies are really safe: just ask the stockholders of Anheuser-Busch.

On July 13, 2008, Anheuser-Busch and InBev said they have agreed to a deal, pending shareholder and regulatory approval, for InBev to purchase the American icon Anheuser-Busch at $70 per share, creating a new company to be named Anheuser-Busch InBev.  The all-cash agreement, almost $52 billion in total equity, would create the world’s largest brewer, uniting the maker of Budweiser and Michelob with the producer of Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Leffe and Beck's, Bass, Labatt and Brahma. The two companies would have yearly sales of more than $36.4 billion, surpassing the current No. 1 brewer, London-based SABMiller.

Despite the $70 agreement, BUD trades at around $63.  Why?  Because InBev is financing the deal.  Great timing!

Yet, the news has been positive for BUD shareholders, who agreed to the merger last week.  InBev has been lining up an executive team and has stressed that there is no financing problem.  The market is obviously skeptical.

I am not.  Beer will not go down in a recessionary period.  In fact, it will probably go up!  Meanwhile, the world governements have stepped in to bailout the banks with major cash infusions.  Why would they turn down InBev after promising financing?

Here is the risk reward: $63 to $70 within a month and a half - which is the timeframe mentioned by most analysts and the companies.  That's an 11% return in only a month and a half!  The risk is that the deal somehow falls apart and the stock drops to around $50, a 20% loss.  I see a 95% chance it goes up 11% and a 5% chance it drops 20% - a pretty spectacular risk reward.  And I think only in this crazy market would this stock be so cheap right before the acquisition.

Barring a complete market and financial sector meltdown, I think this deal will go through.  It will represent the easiest 11% I will ever make.  I strongly recommend doing your own research and looking to park your money into this stock before it gets up to the high 60s.

i'm assuming you're aware of this news item that hit about an hour ago:

 

InBev postpones new share issue until markets calm
Tuesday October 14, 1:38 pm ET
InBev delays rights issue funding Anheuser takeover, says deal still on track BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- Brewer InBev SA said Tuesday it was postponing a $9.8 billion share issue until financial markets stabilize.

It had planned to use the money raised from selling new shares to fund its $52 billion takeover of Anheuser Busch Cos. -- a deal that will create the world's largest brewer and bring beers Budweiser and Stella Artois under one roof.

InBev said there was no change to its target to complete the deal by the end of 2008, once it gets approval from regulators and Anheuser-Busch shareholders on Nov. 12.

"We are moving forward confidently and expect to complete the combination of these two great companies by the end of the year," said InBev CEO Carlos Brito in a statement.

Stock markets across the world have plunged in recent weeks on worries that a banking crisis will tighten the cost of borrowing for companies and deepen a global economic slowdown.

The Leuven, Belgium-based company said it had the strong support of a group of banks that are loaning $45 billion to pay for the purchase and $9.8 billion in equity bridge financing. InBev had planned to replace the bridge loan with funds raised from the share issue.

InBev is currently the world's second-largest brewer after SABMiller PLC. Swallowing Anheuser-Busch would see it capturing half of the U.S. beer market and a fifth of China and Russia.

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Methinks the deal will happen also - but it will depend on a 'calm' market.


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Author:

Reggie Abaca

Subject:

Analysis

Sentiment:

Neutral

Date:

10/14/08 at 1:01 PM CDT

What I get from that news is "no change to its target to complete the deal by the end of 2008"


that sounds to me like the deal is solid.  My main worry would be a change in terms of the deal, but considering for how long they negotiated and how hard it was for InBev to make it happen - along with the synergies this will create - the deal should go through.


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Author:

Perry Rod

Subject:

Analysis

Sentiment:

Strong Buy

Date:

10/14/08 at 1:04 PM CDT

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