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De Tijd, Oct. 14, 2015
“Belgians remain in control of big beer,” and “The biggest pint in the world is Belgian,” Flemish-language business daily De Tijd proudly writes on the front page of its Wednesday edition, a day after the world’s second-largest brewer SABMiller accepted a takeover proposal from Belgium-based No.1 beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev.
After several rebuttals, the British-South African multinational company — headquartered in London and owner of brands like Fosters, Grolsch, Miller, Peroni and Pilsner Urquell — agreed Tuesday to a staggering $105-billion takeover by AB InBev, of Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois fame.
According to Brussels-based De Tijd, most analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the merger, stating that “AB InBev can bring about positive impulse,” adding that 46% of brokerage agencies recommend buying shares.
European food and beverage stocks rallied at the news of the merger, with the STOXX Europe 600 Food & Beverage Index rising 1.5% in Tuesday trading, Reuters reports.
