Filed under: International markets, Deals, Rants and raves, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), Anheuser-Busch Cos (BUD)
We have posted numerous articles about the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) by InBev (NV) and it now looks like the deal has been done at a price of $70 per share. However, what made this deal work for InBev might have been that the dollar has fallen so far.
The exchange rate between the dollar and Euro gives InBev a 30% to 35% discount making the acquisition price seem like a great deal for BUD shareholders but an even better one for InBev shareholders. And if the the currency exchange rates shift back over time then all the shareholders win.
This means that Americans will be answering to the Dutch Belgians. If the dollar had gained against the Euro instead of becoming weaker is it possible that Anheuser-Busch (BUD) would have purchased out InBev (NV)? If the dollar stays down or drifts lower as seems likely right now look for more M&A activity from abroad.
In the mean time, since ‘my pal Warren’, is the largest shareholder of BUD through Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) and supports the deal, will he remain a shareholder of the new company? No doubt this increases the value of Berkshire, but does this set the stage for Buffett to enter the European market in a huge way?
Sheldon Liber is the CEO of a small private investment company and the principal for design and research at an architecture & planning firm. He writes the columns Chasing Value and Serious Money. Disclosure: I own shares of BRK.B.
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