June 18, 2008
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., on Wednesday urged the board of U.S. brewing giant Anheuser-Busch Cos. (BUD) to reject the $65-a-share takeover offer from Belgian-Brazilian beer company Inbev (INB.BT).
In a letter sent to the board of the St. Louis-based company, McCaskill said the company should retain its independence and that management should work to identify ways to grow the company.
"I write to urge that as you examine the financial aspects of the offer, you also consider what this great and profitable company represents to St. Louis, the state of Missouri, and the rest of America," said McCaskill. "In doing so I hope you will reject the purchase offer."
McCaskill is the junior senator from Missouri.
After meeting with Inbev Chief Executive Carlos Brito Tuesday in Washington, McCaskill told reporters she would "do everything in my power" to stop the deal.
But as a senator, she has very little authority to stop the sale from proceeding, she acknowledged.
The Anheuser-Busch board has yet to respond to Inbev's friendly offer. The all-cash $46.35 billion offer was made by Inbev last week.
After the meeting with McCaskill, Brito said he thought the Anheuser-Busch board would accept the offer. He wouldn't comment on whether InBev would proceed with a hostile offer in the event of a rejection.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 17, 2008, following a meeting with InBev Chief Executive Officer Carlos Brito, regarding his company's effort to buy Anheuser-Busch.(AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke) |
