European brewing giant InBev completes $52 billion buyout of Anheuser-Busch
By Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writer
9:25 AM EST, November 18, 2008
Just like that -- SeaWorld Orlando and its parent company Orlando-based Busch Entertainment Corp. now are both owned by the new Brussels, Belgium, conglomerate known as Anheuser-Busch InBev.
The newly-named company announced this morning that the European brewing giant InBev has completed the $52 billion buyout of American brewing giant Anheuser-Busch, and is revealing its new name.
The path to the merger was cleared last week when Anheuser-Busch's shareholders approved the $70 per share deal, followed late last week by American regulatory approval.
Effective today, InBev has changed its name to Anheuser-Busch InBev to reflect the heritage and traditions of Anheuser-Busch. Starting November 20, 2008, the company will trade under the new ticker symbol ABI on the Euronext Brussels stock exchange. Anheuser-Busch has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev and will retain its current headquarters in St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis will also become the North American headquarters for the combined company.
Last summer when InBev was wooing Anheuser-Busch, its shareholders and other investors, it suggested it might sell of Busch Entertainment Corp. to help finance the deal. While the companies involved have remained mum about that prospect since, the newly-merged company continues to own the 10-park theme park operator that has a headquarters off John Young Parkway in south Orange County.
This morning there still was no immediate comment available on the prospects that Busch Entertainment might be retained, sold or spun off.
Scott Powers can be reached at spowers@orland
