Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (BUD) on Tuesday priced its offering on the Hong Kong stock exchange at HK$27 ($3.44), the lower end of its anticipated range, raising an estimated $5 billion, according to published reports.
That makes Budweiser Brewing APAC’s IPO the world’s second-biggest of 2019 after Uber Technologies (UBER) . Shares are scheduled to begin trading on Sept. 30.
The offer had been about halved from its planned $9.8 billion sale, which was postponed in July when it pulled the IPO in favor of a sale of its Australian division for around $11.3 billion.
According to a report in the South China Morning Post citing a person familiar with the matter, the offering was multiple times covered, and hands Hong Kong a much-needed boost amid trade and political tensions.
Budweiser APAC declined to comment on the IPO pricing.
Anheuser-Busch raised the idea of listing its minority stake in Budweiser Brewing APAC earlier this year, telling investors on a conference call following its first-quarter earnings that the move would help lower the group’s debt load.
