‘Stars have aligned’ for AB InBev’s megabrew deal

Anheuser-Busch InBev’s chief executive says a study of SABMiller’s African beer markets and talks with top shareholders led to an “alignment of stars” that drew it to its nearest rival.

But observers say the real catalysts for the $100bn takeover proposal made public on October 7 are a steep fall in SABMiller’s share price, search for growth beyond AB InBev’s declining core Americas markets, and a desire not to give SABMiller’s new management enough time to execute a workable defence.

Analysts have speculated on the tie-up of the world’s top two brewers for years.