BRUSSELS - Shareholders of brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev on Wednesday approved the blockbuster takeover of rival SABMiller, in a deal that would create the biggest beer company in the world.
AB InBev, which produces Budweiser, is the world's top brewer
AB InBev, the brewer of Budweiser and Stella Artois, is already the world's top brewer and the SABMiller acquisition for $104 billion is in line to be the third largest merger in history.
"AB InBev shareholders expressed their support for the combination by passing all resolutions that were proposed in connection with the combination," a short statement from the Belgium-based brewer said.
A similar vote by SABMiller shareholders, in which the outcome is more uncertain, is expected later on Wednesday in London.
SABMiller's biggest shareholders had split on the deal in July, throwing doubt on the success of the takeover.
But early indications were that the deal would go forward, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. Most SABMiller investors voting by proxy supported the takeover in advance of Wednesday’s shareholder meeting, the news agency said.
AB InBev in July raised its offer for SABMiller to pound sterling45 a share, after sterling slumped following Britain’s Brexit vote to leave the EU. The new offer values the London-headquartered SABMiller at about pound sterling79 billion.
Marlboro cigarette-maker Altria and Colombia's tycoon Santo Domingo family favoured the deal while the powerful Aberdeen Asset Management said it was against the combination.
AB InBev agreed in November last year to buy SABMiller whose brands at the time included Foster's and Coors.
The deal is expected to boost AB InBev's prospects in developing markets in Africa and China, where a SABMiller joint venture produces Snow -- the world's best selling beer by volume.
To win that approval, AB InBev has agreed to a long series of concessions, including the sale of SABMiller's Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime brands to Japanese rival Asahi.