SABMiller, the world’s second-largest brewer by volume, has declined to comment on Thursday on media reports that the group is in talks regarding a possible joint acquisition of Canada’s Molson.
SABMiller spokesperson Nigel Fairbrass said the group couldn’t comment on Thursday’s report in the Wall Street Journal Europe, which said the brewer is in preliminary discussions with Ian Molson, Molson’s former deputy chairperson, and Canada’s Onex Corporation about a possible joint offer to buy Molson.
The move would challenge Molson’s proposed merger with United States brewer Adolph Coors, which was announced in July. Ian Molson in July wrote to Molson’s board expressing interest in a possible rival bid for Molson that could reportedly total as much as $4-billion.
The newspaper quoted people familiar with the situation, who said the SABMiller joint talks are at a very early stage and might not result in a formal offer. Several hurdles remain for any possible deal, even if the group decides to make an offer, including a contract between Molson and Coors that could act as a blocking position against any rival bidder.
Meanwhile, AFX reported that Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein highlighted in a note to clients on Thursday that if SABMiller were to acquire Molson, then Coors would withdraw its brands from Molson.
The German broker pointed out that these brands represent 20% of Molson’s profits and argued that losing them would reduce the value of the Canadian brewer.
Dresdner explained that this means another bidder, potentially Heineken, that does not have brands that compete with Coors will stand a better chance of buying Molson with the Coors brands. Moreover, Dresdner said it believes Heineken will be very keen to acquire Molson, while reiterating its “hold” rating on SABMiller.
At 11am London time, shares in SABMiller were down 5,5 pence on the London Stock Exchange at 695,5 pence.
SABMiller’s share price was last quoted on the JSE Securities Exchange at R81,70, 30 cents or 0,37% lower than Wednesday’s close, with 267 551 shares having changed hands in 134 transactions. — I-Net Bridge