SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
October 13, 2015
Commission File No.: 1-34455
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
(Translation of registrants name into English)
Belgium
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
Brouwerijplein 1,
3000 Leuven, Belgium
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F ü Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No ü
THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN EACH OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM F-3 (FILE NO. 333-185619), F-3 (FILE NO. 333-169514), FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-172069), FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-171231), FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-169272), FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-165566), FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-165065), FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-178664), FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-188517), FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-192806) AND FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-201386) OF ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV SA/NV AND TO BE A PART THEREOF FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THIS REPORT IS FURNISHED, TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY DOCUMENTS OR REPORTS SUBSEQUENTLY FILED OR FURNISHED.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
99.1 |
Press release issued on 12 October 2015 | |
99.2 |
Press release issued on 13 October 2015 |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV SA/NV (Registrant) | ||||||
Dated: October 13, 2015 | By: | /s/ Benoit Loore | ||||
Name: Benoit Loore | ||||||
Title: VP Corporate Governance |
Exhibit 99.1
PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 12th October 2015 |
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The enclosed information constitutes regulated information as defined in the Belgian Royal Decree of 14 November 2007 regarding the duties of issuers of financial instruments which have been admitted for trading on a regulated market.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS AND THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT AN OFFER WILL BE MADE.
Anheuser-Busch InBev Confirms
Improved Proposal to SABMiller
Improved proposal of GBP 43.50 per share in cash, with partial share alternative
Cash offer at 48% premium
Partial share alternative at 33% premium
Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) (Euronext: ABI) (NYSE: BUD) notes recent speculation and confirms that it has today made an improved proposal to the Board of SABMiller plc (SABMiller) (LSE: SAB) (JSE: SAB) to combine the two companies and build the first truly global beer company.
Improved Proposal
AB InBevs improved proposal comprises a cash offer of GBP 43.50 per share, with a partial share alternative available for approximately 41% of the SABMiller shares.
The cash proposal represents a premium of over 48% to SABMillers closing share price of GBP 29.34 on 14th September 2015 (being the last business day prior to renewed speculation of an approach from AB InBev).
The Partial Share Alternative
Under the improved proposal, SABMiller shareholders who elect for the partial share alternative will receive 0.483969 Restricted Shares and GBP 3.56 in cash for each SABMiller share1. Based on the closing
1 In the event that elections for the Restricted Shares represent more than 326 million Restricted Shares then such elections will be reduced on a pro rata basis.
1
PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 12th October 2015 |
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price of AB InBevs ordinary shares on 9th October 2015 of EUR 98.30, the partial share alternative, including the GBP 3.56 in cash, would value each SABMiller share at GBP 38.88 per share, representing a premium of approximately 33% to the closing SABMiller share price of GBP 29.34 as of 14th September 20152.
This improved proposal is pre-conditional on both Altria Group, Inc. and BevCo Ltd. undertaking to elect for the partial share alternative in respect of all of their SABMiller shares.
AB InBev anticipates that most SABMiller shareholders, other than Altria Group, Inc. and BevCo Ltd., would wish to elect for the cash offer.
AB InBev will not be seeking the SABMiller Boards recommendation with respect to the partial share alternative.
Other Matters
The announcement of a formal transaction would be subject to the pre-conditions noted above and the other pre-conditions and conditions disclosed in AB InBevs announcement on 7th October 2015. AB InBev reserves the right to waive in whole or in part any of the pre-conditions to the making of an offer as set out in that announcement or referred to above.
The improved proposal does not constitute an offer or impose any obligation on AB InBev to make an offer, nor does it evidence a firm intention to make an offer within the meaning of the Code. AB InBev does not, therefore, regard it as forming the basis for an announcement pursuant to Rule 2.2(a) of the Code.
There can be no certainty that a formal offer will be made. A further statement will be made as appropriate.
2 Based on an exchange rate of EUR 1.3469:GBP 1.0000, which was derived from data provided by Bloomberg as at 4.30 pm BST on 9th October 2015.
2
PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 12th October 2015 |
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AB InBev reserves the following rights:
a) | to introduce other forms of consideration and/or to vary the composition of consideration; |
b) | to implement the transaction through or together with a subsidiary of AB InBev or a company which will become a subsidiary of AB InBev; |
c) | to make an offer (including the cash offer and partial share alternative) for SABMiller at any time on less favorable terms: |
(i) | with the agreement or recommendation of the Board of SABMiller; |
(ii) | if a third party announces a firm intention to make an offer for SABMiller on less favorable terms; or |
(iii) | following the announcement by SABMiller of a whitewash transaction pursuant to the Code; and |
d) | in the event that any dividend is announced, declared, made or paid by SABMiller, to reduce its offer (including the cash offer and partial share alternative) by the amount of such dividend. |
Lazard is acting exclusively as financial adviser to AB InBev and for no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and is not, and will not be, responsible to anyone other than AB InBev for providing the protections afforded to clients of Lazard, or for providing advice in connection with the matters described in this announcement. For these purposes Lazard means Lazard Frères & Co. LLC and Lazard & Co., Limited. Lazard & Co., Limited is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority. Neither Lazard nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Lazard in connection with this announcement or the matters described in this announcement.
Deutsche Bank AG is authorised under German Banking Law (competent authority: European Central Bank) and, in the United Kingdom, by the Prudential Regulation Authority. It is subject to supervision by the European Central Bank and by BaFin, Germanys Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, and is subject to limited regulation in the United Kingdom by the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority. Details about the extent of its authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority, are available on request or from www.db.com/en/content/eu_disclosures.htm
Deutsche Bank AG, acting through its London branch (DB), is acting as corporate broker to AB InBev and no other person in connection with this announcement or its contents. DB will not be responsible to any person other than AB InBev for providing any of the protections afforded to clients of DB, nor for providing any advice in relation to any matter referred to herein. Without limiting a persons liability for fraud, neither DB nor any of its subsidiary undertakings, branches or affiliates nor any of its or their respective directors, officers, representatives, employees, advisers or agents owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of DB in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.
In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, AB InBev must, by not later than 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday 14th October 2015, either announce a firm intention to make an offer for SABMiller in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer for SABMiller, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline will only be extended with the consent of SABMiller and the Takeover Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.
English, Dutch and French versions of this press release will be available on www.ab-inbev.com.
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PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 12th October 2015 |
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NOTES |
Disclosure requirements of the Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the persons interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the persons interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panels website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panels Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.
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PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 12th October 2015 |
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Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events and developments of the management of AB InBev and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. The forward-looking statements contained in this release include statements relating to AB InBevs proposal to the Board of SABMiller, and other statements other than historical facts. Forward-looking statements include statements typically containing words such as will, may, should, believe, intends, expects, anticipates, targets, estimates, likely, foresees and words of similar import. These forward-looking statements may include statements relating to: the expected characteristics of the combined company; expected ownership of the combined company by AB InBev and SABMiller shareholders; expected customer reach of the combined company; the expected benefits of the proposed transaction; and the financing of the proposed transaction. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the current views of the management of AB InBev, are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties about AB InBev and SABMiller and are dependent on many factors, some of which are outside of AB InBevs control. There are important factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different, including that there can be no certainty that the approach in respect of the proposed transaction described herein will result in an offer or agreement, or as to the terms of any such agreement, and the risks relating to AB InBev described under Item 3.D of its Annual Report on Form 20-F (Form 20-F) filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on 24 March 2015. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included elsewhere, including AB InBevs most recent Form 20-F, reports furnished on Form 6-K, and any other documents that AB InBev or SABMiller have made public. Any forward-looking statements made in this communication are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by AB InBev will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, AB InBev or its business or operations. Except as required by law, AB InBev undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Notice to US investors
If AB InBev made an offer for SABMiller, then US holders of SABMiller shares should note that the steps of any transaction requiring approval by SABMiller shareholders may be implemented under a UK scheme of arrangement provided for under English company law. If so, it is expected that any shares to be issued under the transaction to SABMiller shareholders would be issued in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act of 1933, provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof and would be subject to UK disclosure requirements (which are different from those of the United States). The transaction may instead be implemented by way of a takeover offer under English law. If so, any securities to be issued under the transaction to SABMiller shareholders will be registered under the US Securities Act, absent an applicable exemption from registration. If the transaction is implemented by way of UK takeover offer, it will be done in compliance with the applicable rules under the US Exchange Act of 1934, including any applicable exemptions provided under Rule 14d-1(d) thereunder.
This filing shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
5
PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 12th October 2015 |
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|
Media | Investors | |
Marianne Amssoms Tel: +1-212-573-9281 E-mail: marianne.amssoms@ab-inbev.com |
Graham Staley Tel: +1-212-573-4365 E-mail: graham.staley@ab-inbev.com | |
Karen Couck Tel: +1-212-573-9283 E-mail: karen.couck@ab-inbev.com
Kathleen Van Boxelaer Tel: +32-16-27-68-23 E-mail: kathleen.vanboxelaer@ab-inbev.com |
Christina Caspersen Tel: +1-212-573-4376 E-mail: christina.caspersen@ab-inbev.com
Heiko Vulsieck Tel: +32-16-27-68-88 E-mail: heiko.vulsieck@ab-inbev.com | |
Steve Lipin, Brunswick Group US Tel: +1-212-333-3810 E-mail: slipin@brunswickgroup.com
Richard Jacques, Brunswick Group UK Tel: +44-20-7404-5959 E-mail: rjacques@brunswickgroup.com |
||
Financial Adviser Lazard |
Corporate Broker Deutsche Bank | |
William Rucker / Charlie Foreman Tel: +44 20 7187 2000 |
Ben Lawrence / Simon Hollingsworth Tel: +44 20 7545 8000 |
About Anheuser-Busch InBev
Anheuser-Busch InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). It is the leading global brewer and one of the worlds top five consumer products companies. Beer, the original social network, has been bringing people together for thousands of years and our portfolio of well over 200 beer brands continues to forge strong connections with consumers. This includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona® and Stella Artois®; international brands Becks®, Leffe®, and Hoegaarden®; and local champions Bud Light®, Skol®, Brahma®, Antarctica®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Modelo Especial®, Michelob Ultra®, Harbin®, Sedrin®, Klinskoye®, Sibirskaya Korona®, Chernigivske®, Cass®, and Jupiler®. Anheuser-Busch InBevs dedication to quality goes back to a brewing tradition of more than 600 years and the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium, as well as the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery, with origins in St. Louis, USA since 1852. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, Anheuser-Busch InBev leverages the collective strengths of its approximately 155 000 employees based in 25 countries worldwide. In 2014, AB InBev realized USD 47.1 billion revenue. The company strives to be the Best Beer Company Bringing People Together For a Better World. Learn more at ab-inbev.com, at facebook.com/ABInBev or on Twitter through @ABInBevNews.
6
Exhibit 99.2
The enclosed information constitutes regulated information as defined in the Belgian Royal Decree of 14 November 2007 regarding the duties of issuers of financial instruments which have been admitted for trading on a regulated market.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO, OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THAT JURISDICTION.
THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FALLING UNDER RULE 2.4 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE CODE) AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE CODE. THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT ANY FIRM OFFER WILL BE MADE.
13 October 2015
SABMiller plc (SABMiller) and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (AB InBev)
Agreement in principle and extension of PUSU deadline
The Boards of AB InBev (Euronext: ABI) (NYSE: BUD) and SABMiller (LSE: SAB) (JSE: SAB) announce that they have reached agreement in principle on the key terms of a possible recommended offer to be made by AB InBev for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of SABMiller (the Possible Offer).
Terms of Possible Offer
Under the terms of the Possible Offer, SABMiller shareholders would be entitled to receive GBP 44.00 per share in cash, with a partial share alternative (PSA) available for approximately 41% of the SABMiller shares.
The all-cash offer represents a premium of approximately 50% to SABMillers closing share price of GBP 29.34 on 14 September 2015 (being the last business day prior to renewed speculation of an approach from AB InBev).
The PSA consists of 0.483969 unlisted shares and GBP 3.7788 in cash for each SABMiller share, equivalent to a value of GBP 39.03 per SABMiller share on 12 October 2015, representing a premium of approximately 33% to the closing SABMiller share price of GBP 29.34 as of 14 September 2015. Further details of the PSA are set out below.
In addition, under the Possible Offer, SABMiller shareholders would be entitled to any dividends declared or paid by SABMiller in the ordinary course in respect of any completed six-month period ended 30 September or 31 March prior to completion of the possible transaction, which shall not exceed USD 0.2825 per share for the period ended 30 September 2015 and a further USD 0.9375 per share for the period ended 31 March 2016 (totalling USD 1.22 per share) and shall not exceed an amount to be agreed between AB InBev and SABMiller in respect of periods thereafter (which shall be disclosed in any announcement of a firm intention to make an offer).
The Board of SABMiller has indicated to AB InBev that it would be prepared unanimously to recommend the all-cash offer of GBP 44.00 per SABMiller share to SABMiller shareholders, subject to their fiduciary duties and satisfactory resolution of the other terms and conditions of the Possible Offer.
1
Antitrust and reverse break fee
In connection with the Possible Offer, AB InBev would agree to a best efforts commitment to obtain any regulatory clearances required to proceed to closing of the transaction. In addition, AB InBev would agree to a reverse break fee of USD 3 billion payable to SABMiller in the event that the transaction fails to close as a result of the failure to obtain regulatory clearances or the approval of AB InBev shareholders.
Pre-conditions
The announcement of a formal transaction would be subject to the following matters:
a) | unanimous recommendation by the Board of SABMiller in respect of the all-cash offer, and the execution of irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the transaction from members of the SABMiller Board, in a form acceptable to AB InBev; |
b) | the execution of irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the transaction and to elect for the PSA from SABMillers two major shareholders, Altria Group, Inc. and BevCo Ltd., in each case in respect of all of their shareholding and in a form acceptable to AB InBev and SABMiller; |
c) | the execution of irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the transaction from AB InBevs largest shareholders, the Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev, EPS Participations SaRL and BRC SaRL in a form acceptable to AB InBev and SABMiller; |
d) | satisfactory completion of customary due diligence; and |
e) | final approval by the Board of AB InBev. |
The Board of AB InBev fully supports the terms of this Possible Offer and expects (subject to the matters above) to give its formal approval immediately prior to announcement.
AB InBev reserves the right to waive in whole or in part any of the pre-conditions to making an offer set out in this announcement, other than c) above which will not be waived.
The conditions of the transaction will be customary for a combination of this nature, and will include approval by both companies shareholders and receipt of antitrust and regulatory approvals.
In view of the timetable for obtaining some of these approvals, AB InBev envisages proceeding by way of a pre-conditional scheme of arrangement in accordance with the Code.
The cash consideration under the transaction would be financed through a combination of AB InBevs internal financial resources and new third party debt.
Further details of the PSA
The PSA comprises up to 326 million shares, which will be available for approximately 41% of the SABMiller shares. These shares would take the form of a separate class of AB InBev shares (the Restricted Shares)1, with the following characteristics:
| Unlisted and not admitted to trading on any stock exchange; |
1 The Possible Offer will involve the formation of a new combined company (NewCo) expected to be incorporated in Belgium, which would acquire 100% of AB InBev. AB InBev shareholders would receive one NewCo ordinary share for each AB InBev share. References to the Restricted Shares and ordinary shares arising upon conversion are references to shares in NewCo. References to AB InBev shall be construed accordingly, where appropriate
2
| Subject to a five-year lock-up from closing; |
| Convertible into AB InBev ordinary shares on a one for one basis after the end of that five year period; |
| Ranking equally with AB InBev ordinary shares with regards to dividends and voting rights; and |
| Director nomination rights. |
SABMiller shareholders who elect for the partial share alternative will receive 0.483969 Restricted Shares2 and GBP 3.7788 in cash for each SABMiller share.
Extension of the PUSU deadline
In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, AB InBev was required, by not later than 5.00 pm on 14 October 2015, to either announce a firm intention to make an offer for SABMiller in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer for SABMiller, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies.
In accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code, the Board of SABMiller has requested that the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (the Panel) extends the relevant deadline, as referred to above, to enable the parties to continue their talks regarding the Possible Offer. In the light of this request, an extension has been granted by the Panel and AB InBev must, by not later than 5.00 pm on 28 October 2015, either announce a firm intention to make an offer for SABMiller in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer for SABMiller, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline will only be extended with the consent of the Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.
AB InBev reserves the following rights:
a) | to introduce other forms of consideration and/or to vary the composition of consideration; |
b) | to implement the transaction through or together with a subsidiary of AB InBev or NewCo or a company which will become a subsidiary of AB InBev or NewCo; |
c) | to make an offer (including the all-cash offer and PSA) for SABMiller at any time on less favourable terms: |
(i) | with the agreement or recommendation of the Board of SABMiller; |
(ii) | if a third party announces a firm intention to make an offer for SABMiller on less favourable terms; or |
(iii) | following the announcement by SABMiller of a whitewash transaction pursuant to the Code; and |
d) | to reduce its offer (including the all-cash offer and PSA) by the amount of any dividend that is announced, declared, made or paid by SABMiller prior to completion, save for ordinary course dividends declared or paid prior to completion, which shall not exceed USD 0.2825 per share for the period ended 30 September 2015 and a further USD 0.9375 per share for the period ended 31 March 2016 (totalling USD 1.22 per share) and shall not exceed an amount to be agreed between AB InBev and SABMiller in respect of periods thereafter (which shall be disclosed in any announcement of a firm intention to make an offer). |
2 In | the event that elections under the partial share alternative are received for more than 326 million Restricted Shares then such elections will be reduced on a pro rata basis. |
3
The announcement does not constitute an offer or impose any obligation on AB InBev to make an offer, nor does it evidence a firm intention to make an offer within the meaning of the Code. There can be no certainty that a formal offer will be made.
A further announcement will be made when appropriate.
Enquiries | ||
SABMiller plc | ||
+44 (0) 20 7659 0100 | ||
Christina Mills, Director, Group Communications |
+44 (0) 20 7659 0105 | |
+44 (0) 7825 275605 | ||
Gary Leibowitz, Director, Investor Relations |
+44 (0) 7717 428540 | |
Richard Farnsworth, Group Media Relations |
+44 (0) 7734 776317 | |
Robey Warshaw |
+44 (0) 20 7317 3900 | |
Simon Robey |
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Simon Warshaw |
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J.P. Morgan Cazenove |
+44 (0) 20 7777 2000 | |
John Muncey |
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Dwayne Lysaght |
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Morgan Stanley |
+44 (0) 20 7425 8000 | |
Henry Stewart |
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Paul Baker |
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Goldman Sachs |
+44 (0) 20 7774 1000 | |
Gilberto Pozzi |
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Mark Sorrell |
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Finsbury |
+44 (0) 20 7251 3801 | |
Faeth Birch |
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James Murgatroyd |
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Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
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Marianne Amssoms |
+1 212 573 9281 | |
Graham Staley |
+1 212 573 4365 | |
Karen Couck |
+1 212 573 9283 | |
Kathleen Van Boxelaer |
+32 (0) 16 27 68 23 | |
Christina Caspersen |
+1 212 573 4376 | |
Heiko Vulsieck |
+32 (0) 16 27 68 88 |
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Lazard Financial Adviser |
+44 (0) 20 7187 2000 | |
William Rucker |
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Charlie Foreman |
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Deutsche Bank Corporate Broker |
+44 (0) 20 7545 8000 | |
Ben Lawrence |
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Simon Hollingsworth |
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Brunswick Group |
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Steve Lipin |
+1 212 333 3810 | |
Richard Jacques |
+44 (0) 20 7404 5959 |
Linklaters LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP are retained legal advisers to SABMiller.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Cravath, Swaine & Moore are retained as legal advisers to AB InBev.
Important notices relating to financial advisers
Robey Warshaw LLP (Robey Warshaw), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as joint financial adviser to SABMiller and no one else in connection with the contents of this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than SABMiller for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in connection with the contents of this announcement or any matter referred to in this announcement.
J.P. Morgan Limited, which conducts its UK investment banking businesses as J.P. Morgan Cazenove (J.P. Morgan Cazenove), is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority. J.P. Morgan Cazenove is acting as joint financial adviser exclusively for SABMiller and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than SABMiller for providing the protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan Cazenove, or for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to herein.
Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (Morgan Stanley) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the UK is acting as joint financial adviser to SABMiller and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement. In connection with such matters, Morgan Stanley, its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any other matter referred to herein.
Goldman Sachs International (Goldman Sachs), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for SABMiller and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than SABMiller for providing the protections afforded to clients of Goldman Sachs, or for providing advice in connection with the contents of this announcement or any other matter referred to herein.
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Lazard is acting exclusively as financial adviser to AB InBev and for no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and is not, and will not be, responsible to anyone other than AB InBev for providing the protections afforded to clients of Lazard, or for providing advice in connection with the matters described in this announcement. For these purposes Lazard means Lazard Frères & Co. LLC and Lazard & Co., Limited. Lazard & Co., Limited is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority. Neither Lazard nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Lazard in connection with this announcement or the matters described in this announcement.
Deutsche Bank AG is authorised under German Banking Law (competent authority: European Central Bank) and, in the United Kingdom, by the Prudential Regulation Authority. It is subject to supervision by the European Central Bank and by BaFin, Germanys Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, and is subject to limited regulation in the United Kingdom by the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority. Details about the extent of its authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority, are available on request or from www.db.com/en/content/eu_disclosures.htm
Deutsche Bank AG, acting through its London branch (DB), is acting as corporate broker to AB InBev and no other person in connection with this announcement or its contents. DB will not be responsible to any person other than AB InBev for providing any of the protections afforded to clients of DB, nor for providing any advice in relation to any matter referred to herein. Without limiting a persons liability for fraud, neither DB nor any of its subsidiary undertakings, branches or affiliates nor any of its or their respective directors, officers, representatives, employees, advisers or agents owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of DB in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.
Disclosure requirements of the Takeover Code (the Code)
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the persons interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing
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concerned and of the persons interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panels website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. If you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure, you should contact the Panels Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
Publication on Website
A copy of this announcement will be made available on www.sabmiller.com by no later than 12 noon (London time) on 14 October 2015.
You may request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting SABMillers company secretary on +44 (0) 1483 264000. You may also request that all future documents, announcements and information to be sent to you in relation to the offer should be in hard copy form.
Further information, including all documents related to the proposed transaction can be found at www.globalbrewer.com.
English, Dutch and French versions of this press release will be available on www.ab-inbev.com.
Bases of calculation
The value of the PSA equivalent to GBP 39.03 per SABMiller share has been calculated by reference to:
| the exchange ratio of 0.483969 shares in AB InBev for every SABMiller share as per the Possible Offer; |
| AB InBevs closing share price of EUR 98.35 on 12 October 2015; |
| the EUR/GBP exchange rate of 1.35010, which was derived from data provided by Bloomberg as at 4.30pm BST on 12 October 2015; and |
| the cash element of GBP 3.7788 per SABMiller share as per the Possible Offer. |
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events and developments of the management of AB InBev and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. The forward-looking statements contained in this release include statements relating to AB InBevs proposal to the Board of SABMiller, and other statements other than historical facts. Forward-looking statements include statements typically containing words such as will, may, should, believe, intends,
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expects, anticipates, targets, estimates, likely, foresees and words of similar import. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the current views of the management of AB InBev, are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties about AB InBev and SABMiller and are dependent on many factors, some of which are outside of AB InBevs control. There are important factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different, including that there can be no certainty that the approach in respect of the proposed transaction described herein will result in an offer or agreement, or as to the terms of any such agreement, and the risks relating to AB InBev described under Item 3.D of its Annual Report on Form 20-F (Form 20-F) filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on 24 March 2015. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included elsewhere, including AB InBevs most recent Form 20-F, reports furnished on Form 6-K, and any other documents that AB InBev or SABMiller have made public. Any forward-looking statements made in this communication are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by AB InBev will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, AB InBev or its business or operations. Except as required by law, AB InBev undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Future SEC Filings and This Filing: Important Information
In the event that AB InBev and SABMiller enter into a transaction, AB InBev or NewCo may be required to file relevant materials with the SEC. Such documents, however, are not currently available. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ ANY DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors will be able to obtain a free copy of such filings without charge, at the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov) once such documents are filed with the SEC. Copies of such documents may also be obtained from AB InBev, without charge, once they are filed with the SEC.
Notice to US investors
If AB InBev made an offer for SABMiller, then US holders of SABMiller shares should note that the steps of any transaction requiring approval by SABMiller shareholders may be implemented under a UK scheme of arrangement provided for under English company law. If so, it is expected that any shares to be issued under the transaction to SABMiller shareholders would be issued in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act of 1933, provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof and would be subject to UK disclosure requirements (which are different from those of the United States). The transaction may instead be implemented by way of a takeover offer under English law. If so, any securities to be issued under the transaction to SABMiller shareholders will be registered under the US Securities Act, absent an applicable exemption from registration. If the transaction is implemented by way of UK takeover offer, it will be done in compliance with the applicable rules under the US Exchange Act of 1934, including any applicable exemptions provided under Rule 14d-1(d) thereunder.
This filing shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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