Dutch brewer Heineken NV has announced that it has decided to acquire the Mexican company Femsa based on an agreement that values the brewer of Dos Equis, Tecate, and Sol at approximately $7.6 billion (€5.3 billion), including debt.
Heineken stated that the agreement, which involves a share exchange between the two companies, will help it increase its market share in Mexico and Brazil and strengthen its position among imported beers in the United States, the most profitable beer market. Femsa, officially Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de CV, will hold a 12.5% stake in Heineken and 14.9% in its parent company Heineken Holding NV. The agreement surprised the market as the most likely buyer of Femsa was considered to be South African SABMiller PLC, concluded the reputable New York financial daily The Wall Street Journal. (H)
