The Asia-Pacific unit of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA is seeking to raise as much as $9.8 billion in what could be the biggest food and beverage IPO globally.
Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Ltd., the Asia-Pacific business of the world’s biggest brewer with a market capitalization of nearly $151 billion, will launch bookbuilding for its Hong Kong IPO later Tuesday, ahead of a planned debut on July 19, people familiar with the matter said.
Budweiser Brewing’s fundraising will make it the world’s largest food and beverage IPO, beating Kraft Foods Inc.’s $8.68 billion IPO in 2001, according to Dealogic.
Budweiser Brewing, which operates a portfolio of more than 50 brands including Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona, counts China, Australia, South Korea, India and Vietnam as its major markets in the region.
AB InBev said in early May that the listing would create an Asia-Pacific consumer-goods champion and provide a vehicle for potential mergers and acquisitions in the region. JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley are joint sponsors of the deal.
By Joanne Chiu
Source: MarketWatch
Local industry stakeholders under Food Drink Ireland (FDI) have called for targeted support measures in the sector that will help businesses stay buoyant during the transitional period.
Diageo has announced that the company’s CFO Kathryn Mikells will leave the business later this year and will be replaced by Lavanya Chandrashekar.
Schlosberg – who has resigned his positions as president, CFO, COO and secretary of Monster Beverage – will serve as co-CEO alongside Rodney C. Sacks.