AB InBev-SABMiller Shareholders Approve Big Beer Merger

It seems that the eagerly awaited mega-merger of the world’s two brewing bigwigs Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) , alias AB InBev, and SABMiller (LON:SAB) plc (OTC:SBMRY) will soon see the light of day. After clearing regulatory hurdles in August, AB InBev and SABMiller yesterday received unanimous support from its shareholders for the over $100 billion deal, clearing the final roadblock for the big beer merger.

In detail, the deal gathered votes from a larger-than-required margin as 95.5% of SABMiller’s shareholders supported the takeover. However, approval from only 75% shareholders was needed, excluding the company's two largest stakeholders – U.S. tobacco company Altria Group Inc. (NYSE:MO) and Colombia investor group Bevco. Altria and Bevco, which together hold a 41% stake in SABMiller, had previously given their nod to the deal against a separate cash-and-stock offer from AB InBev and as was approved by the U.K. Scheme Directions Hearing on Aug 22.

With nearly all necessary approvals received, AB InBev now expects to close the acquisition on Oct 10, almost a year after the deal was originally proposed. However, management revealed that the final approval from the U.K. court is yet to come. Following the completion of all procedures, the new company will retain the AB InBev banner and SABMiller will cease to trade under its current name, starting Oct 11.

As this massive takeover nears completion, it would be right to evaluate who gains what out of the deal and where the brewing industry is headed from here. The deal is likely to give birth to a mega-brewing company that will control about one-thirds of the global beer market, leaving behind Heineken NV (OTC:HEINY) , which holds about an 11% market share of the industry. Moreover, it will expand the company’s share in the global beer profits and worldwide volumes, growing to nearly 46% and 27%, respectively. This means that the company’s share in global beer profits will grow four folds, and its volumes will double that of Heineken.

Further, it will fortify AB InBev’s presence globally, lowering its reliance on the mature U.S. and struggling Brazilian markets, while gaining exposure to 17 African countries and the fast-growing Latin American markets, such as Colombia and Peru. The takeover comes at a time when AB InBev is struggling to revive its Budweiser brand in the U.S. – its largest market, and continues to face an economic downturn in Brazil – its second-largest market.

As for the industry, this merger is going to be a one-off event as it is likely to change the face of the beer industry. Apart from being mutually beneficial, the deal should benefit many rival brewers who got their hands on the portions of SABMiller that AB InBev was forced to sell-off in order to back regulatory approvals in various countries. For this, the company sold SABMiller brands including Miller Lite, Peroni and Snow, among the world’s leading beer brands.

Further, in a bid to please U.S. regulators, AB InBev disposed SABMiller’s 58% stake in its joint venture MillerCoors LLC to Molson Coors Brewing Co. (NYSE:TAP) for $12 billion. This will make Molson Coors, which previously held a 42% stake in MillerCoors, the major stakeholder in the joint venture. Additionally, this will lift Molson’s ranking amid the world’s most-profitable brewers from fifth to third, according to analysts. Also, this will make Molson the second-largest brewer in the U.S. with a 25% market share.

Thus, this deal is likely to benefit the entire brewing industry as it has bolstered the position of many rivals, making competition tough for AB InBev itself. However, we believe the combined entity will be strong enough to handle competition from these rivals with a portfolio of brands including leading names like Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona and Castle Lager.

AB InBev currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), while SABMiller carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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