ST. LOUIS, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc.
(NYSE: BUD) today announced Oct. 3 as the record date for its special meeting
for shareholders to consider and vote on the combination between InBev
N.V./S.A. and Anheuser-Busch.
At the closing of the transaction with InBev, shareholders of
Anheuser-Busch will be entitled to receive $70 for each share of stock held by
them, and Anheuser-Busch will become a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of
InBev.
Anheuser-Busch shareholders of record as of the close of business on
Oct. 3 will be entitled to vote at the special meeting. Anheuser-Busch
expects to establish the date for the special meeting when SEC review of its
proxy statement is completed. Additional information concerning the special
meeting, including its time, date and location, will be in the Anheuser-Busch
definitive proxy statement, which will be mailed promptly after it is
finalized.
As announced on July 13, 2008, the board of directors of Anheuser-Busch
unanimously recommends that Anheuser-Busch shareholders approve the
transaction with InBev. Closing of the transaction is subject to approval of
shareholders of both companies, necessary regulatory approvals and other
customary closing conditions.
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding
a 48.5 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world's
largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50
percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer, and a 27 percent share
in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country's
best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage
companies in FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists
in 2008. Anheuser-Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the
United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world's
largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit
http://www.anheuser-busch.com.
This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of
the proposed acquisition of Anheuser-Busch by InBev. In connection with the
proposed acquisition, Anheuser-Busch intends to file relevant materials with
the SEC. Anheuser-Busch filed amendment number one to its preliminary proxy
statement on Schedule 14A with the SEC on Sept. 19, 2008.
INVESTORS OF ANHEUSER-BUSCH ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED
WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING ANHEUSER-BUSCH'S PROXY STATEMENT, BECAUSE THEY WILL
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents free
of charge through the Web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov,
and Anheuser-Busch stockholders will receive information at an appropriate
time on how to obtain transaction-related documents for free from
Anheuser-Busch. Such documents are not currently available.
InBev and certain of its directors and executive officers and other
persons, and Anheuser-Busch and its directors and certain executive officers
may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the
holders of Anheuser-Busch common stock in respect of the proposed transaction.
Information about the directors and executive officers of Anheuser-Busch and
their respective interests in Anheuser-Busch by security holdings or otherwise
is set forth in its proxy statement relating to the 2008 annual meeting of
stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 10, 2008. Investors may
obtain additional information regarding the interest of the participants by
reading the preliminary proxy statement.
SOURCE Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc.
