Anheuser and InBev move closer to deal

By Jessica Hall and Martinne Geller

PHILADELPHIA/NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos (BUD.N)moved closer to a friendly, $50 billion (25 billion pounds) takeover by Belgium-based InBev INTB.BR, sources familiar with the situation said on Sunday.

An announcement could be made as early as Sunday night for a deal that would create the world's largest beer maker, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Negotiations could continue beyond Sunday, however, as many details were being tackled quickly, the sources cautioned. But the major issues regarding the price, board structure, and executive roles had largely been resolved, the sources said.

InBev, the maker of Stella Artois, and Budweiser-brewer Anheuser declined to comment.

A deal would bring an amicable resolution to a month-long saga that was becoming increasingly hostile as the two companies sued each other and InBev set the stage to try to replace Anheuser's board of directors.

InBev had proposed its own slate of nominees for the board that included Adolphus Busch IV, an uncle of the current chief executive of Anheuser-Busch.

InBev lured Anheuser to the bargaining table last week by raising its offer to $70 per share from $65 per share, a 27 percent premium over Anheuser's record-high stock price in October 2002.

Shares of InBev and Anheuser surged on Friday as news of the higher offer and the negotiations emerged. Anheuser closed up 8.6 percent at $66.50, and InBev closed up more than 7 percent.