Altria increases stake in AB InBev

The Altria Group said on Thursday that it had made open market purchases of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (AB InBev) ordinary shares subsequent to the closing of the business combination with SABMiller.

‘From October 11, 2016 through October 21, 2016, Altria purchased approximately 12 million ordinary shares of AB InBev,’ it said in a note posted on its website. ‘Including these shares, Altria now has approximately 10.2 percent ownership of AB InBev.

‘Altria’s increased investment in AB InBev supports its strategy of managing diverse income streams to deliver consistent financial performance over time.

‘In addition, for ownership levels at or above 10 percent, Altria is entitled to foreign tax credits available in connection with the dividends Altria receives from AB InBev, as it was with its former SABMiller investment.’