A rebounding European beer market is buoying Anheuser-Busch InBev and Carlsberg, lifting demand for mainstream brands such as Stella Artois and Tuborg.

It’s a new era for Europeans who for eight years got accustomed to watching companies with the worst balance sheets do nothing but rally. Now those stocks are getting crushed by rising bond yields, a trend strategists see continuing.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

Anheuser-Busch InBev, which will soon make almost 30% of the world’s beer, wants to serve more low and alcohol-free brews to drinkers trying to live a healthier lifestyle.

The European Commission may deliver its verdict on Apple’s tax arrangements in Ireland as soon as next month, according to Finance Minister Michael Noonan, offering the first clues to a firm timeline for a decision.

The head of a leading German think tank has attacked the purchase by the ECB which got under way yesterday of corporate bonds, saying the quantitative easing measures designed to boost the eurozone economy and which involve buying debt directly from big companies was “dangerous”.

Dell increased the amount of debt it will raise in the investment-grade bond market after the computer maker received over $80bn (€70.7bn) of orders from investors.

Carlsberg, the world’s fourth-biggest brewer, has pledged to pay more of earnings in the form of dividends as its new chief unveiled his strategy for the next six years.

And now for something completely different, we take a look at some of the lighter stories from the happenings of the European Union.

Shares in Guinness maker Diageo built up a head today as investors responded to reports that Brazil’s richest man was preparing a bid for the British drinks maker.

Heineken, the world’s third-largest brewer, has lowered its guidance for full-year profit after beer sales in eastern Europe dropped sharply and slipped in Brazil and in its large African markets.

Ardagh Group’s bondholders are banking on a leverage-reducing initial public offering of shares to sustain a rally as the European glassware-maker completes a $1.7bn (€1.28bn) debt-funded acquisition in the US.

Carlsberg has reported second-quarter profits that missed estimates as unseasonably wet weather stunted sales in Europe and the company increased advertising spending.

Melbourne/London: SAB Miller said it would keep talking to Foster’s Group after Australia’s largest brewer rejected the global giant’s A$9.5 billion (€6.9bn) cash takeover offer as too low.

C&C could expand its Magners cider brand to the Nordic markets — specifically Sweden and Finland — within the next three years, although group chief executive, John Dunsmore, said that the move is still at the “drawing board” level.

WHEN C&C appointed John Dunsmore, the former boss of Scottish and Newcastle, as its new head, sceptics wanted to know how he and other S&N executives appointed with him would adapt to their new-found roles at the head of Ireland’s struggling cider group.

IRISH drinks group C&C is to buy the Irish, Northern Irish and Scottish divisions of Anheuser Busch-InBev for £180 million (nearly €205m), in a move that should significantly boost group revenue.

Stella Artois brewer InBev today reported a further drop in UK sales volumes, but said it had increased market share as the wider industry suffered sharper falls.

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch today agreed a US$52bn (€32.7bn) takeover bid from Stella Artois maker InBev.

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch was today mulling a US$47bn (€30.4bn) approach from Stella Artois maker InBev to create the world’s biggest beer company.

Nearly 2,000 pupils were evacuated from two west Belfast schools today when a major fire broke out in the former Bass Ireland brewery.

Weaker oil and energy stocks after falling crude prices saw the FTSE 100 Index end a volatile session in the red today.

Shares in UK housebuilders took a fresh hit today after traders reported the sale of seven million shares in leading firm Barratt Developments.

Bid speculation sent brewer SABMiller surging today amid investor hopes of an approach from Stella Artois maker InBev.

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch is planning a defence as speculation grows over a takeover approach from rival and Stella Artois firm InBev, according to reports today.

Wall Street ended a week of big losses with more selling today as rising oil prices again raised worries that strained consumers will cut back spending and hurt the overall economy.

Stella Artois brewer InBev reported disappointing third quarter figures today after dismal summer weather dented sales in Europe.

The firm behind Stella Artois was criticised by the UK advertising watchdog today for implying one family had brewed the lager for the past 600 years.

Wall Street extended its February rally today, growing confident that interest rates will hold steady even as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tempered his forecast of slowly cooling growth and inflation with a reminder that price pressures remain a concern.

Stella Artois brewer InBev said today that beer sales plummeted during the sweltering summer as drinkers turned their backs on the “reassuringly expensive” lager.

Beer giant InBev today said the UK remained its most challenging market in western Europe, despite sales of Stella Artois recovering over the summer.

Beer giant InBev today said sales of its flagship beer Stella Artois have fallen sharply in the UK.