World's Biggest IPO In 2019 Would Be Worth $9.8 Billion

Belgium-based multinational drink and brewing holdings company Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (AB InBev) will be seeking to raise up to $9.8 billion from the listing of its Asia-Pacific business at the Hong Kong stock exchange this year.

According to termsheets seen by Reuters, Budweiser Brewing Company APAC, which owns over 50 beer brands in the region, will be selling 1.6 billion primary shares at the price band of HK$40-$47 ($5.13-$6.02) apiece.

The heavily indebted AB InBev will be able to raise between $8.3 billion and $9.8 billion through the deal, pricing Budweiser Asia's market capitalization up to $63.7 billion after the IPO (initial public offering).

The Reuters report also said that even at the lower end of the price range, the IPO will be the biggest listing for 2019 so far. It will beat Uber's IPO worth $8.1 billion earlier this year at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

AB InBev had previously said an IPO of its Asia business could help it create a brewing champion for the APAC region, where consumers are increasingly trading up to higher-margin premium beers like Budweiser or Corona.