UPDATE 1 - InBev completes pricing of $5 bln note issue

Fri Jan 9, 2009 8:51am GMT
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(updates with details, quotes)

BRUSSELS, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Anheuser-Busch InBev INTB.BR, the world's largest brewer, said on Friday it has completed the pricing of $5 billion bond issue and will use the cash raised to refinance and repay debts.

The notes will have annual interest rates of 7.2 percent for the five-year, 7.75 percent for the 10-year and 8.2 percent for the 30-year, ABInBev said.

Net proceeds from the sale will be used to repay part of the debt InBev incurred to buy U.S. firm Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc. in a $52 billion debt-funded takeover last year that created the world's largest brewer.

ABInBev's Chief Financial Officer Felipe Dutra said the proceeds would repay $3.5 billion of a $45 billion senior facility maturing in November 2009, and $1.5 billion of a facility maturing in November 2010.

"The issuance of the notes is in line with our commitment to refinance the bridge facilities under the $45 billion senior facility agreement and allows us to further term out the debt maturity profile of the company," Dutra said in a statement.

"While we remain on track and fully committed to our disposals process, this bond issuance provides us with more flexibility when interacting with potential buyers," he added.

The company's key international brands include Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck's. (Reporting by Anne Jolis)

 
 
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