AB InBev Asia unit raises $5 billion in world's second-largest 2019 IPO: sources
CGTN

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (AB InBev) has raised about five billion U.S. dollars after pricing the Hong Kong IPO of its Asia-Pacific business at the bottom of a marketed range, according to people familiar with the matter.

The brewing giant, in July, tried to raise up to 9.8 billion U.S. dollars through an initial public offering (IPO) of Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Ltd. It priced shares at the lower end of the 27 to 30 Hong Kong dollars indicative range, two people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

With a final deal of five billion U.S. dollars, the IPO will be the second-biggest globally this year, trailing behind the 8.1 billion U.S. dollars flotation of Uber Technologies Inc in May, data from Refinitiv showed.

The offering was one of a number of sizable IPOs widely seen as tests of investor sentiment following anti-government protests that have roiled Hong Kong for nearly four months and weighed on the stock market.

Markets are also on edge amid a trade dispute between the United States and China as well as slowing global growth.

Budweiser APAC declined to comment on the IPO pricing. While people with knowledge of the matter declined to be identified as they were not authorized to discuss deal details with the media.

AB InBev had included a rare "upsize" option in the deal that enabled the Belgium-based brewer to sell up to 36.8 percent more shares in the offering. That option was partially exercised, sources said.

Proceeds will help AB InBev, the world's largest brewer, reduce debt of over 100 billion U.S. dollars accumulated following the purchase of rival SABMiller in late 2016.

(With input from Reuters)