Anheuser-Busch's shareholders are about to vote on the takeover by InBev, but the stock market still seems to have doubts about InBev's financing. Business reporter Jeremiah McWilliams and columnist David Nicklaus are here to answer your questions about the deal and its effect on St. Louis.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 11:00 AM CST
Tinkey: I heard that InBev was going to pay the $70 per share in stock instead of cash. Can they change this now or will it require a new vote?
dnicklaus: Thanks for the question, Tinkey. I don't think there's any truth to that rumor. The merger deal was signed in July, with a very large breakup fee built in, and InBev's shareholders have already approved it. A-B's shareholders are scheduled to vote tomorrow (Wednesday). If they changed the deal at this late date, they'd have to start the whole approval process over again. That's just not likely to happen. Both sides have said they're going to conclude the original deal -- $70 cash per share -- by the end of the year.
Elizabeth Smith: Since we shareholders have to sell our shares in A-B, will we be offered shares in InBev to take their place?
dnicklaus: I addressed this in the previous response, Elizabeth. The answer is no, you won't get any InBev shares. When the deal closes, each A-B share will be exchanged for $70 in cash. Period.
Don Bowling: Will Inbev/Anheuser-Busch file for an ADR to trade on an American exchange?