Anheuser-Busch Cos. has started preliminary merger talks with Grupo Modelo SAB de CV in order to thwart InBev SA's $65 a share offer, according to The Wall Street Journal and CNBC.
Anheuser approached Modelo CEO Carlos Fernandez about a deal, according
to reports. The acquisition of the rest of Modelo could make the
company too big for InBev to acquire. Anheuser-Busch owns 50% of Modelo. The remaining 50% is estimated to be worth $10.6 billion.
InBev CEO Carlos Brito said it has
"great admiration for Anheuser-Busch's strategic partner, Grupo Modelo,
and hope to work with them to find new opportunities to accelerate the
development of the Grupo Modelo brands outside of North America." - Maria Woehr
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