Market Chatter: Asahi Group Holdings' Purchase of East Africa Breweries Raises Cost Concerns
Asahi Group Holdings' (TYO:2502) big bet on East Africa Breweries could be a costly move, raising investor concerns, Nikkei Asia reported Friday.The Japanese beverage company's planned acquisition of the Tusker beer producer entails an enterprise value-to-EBITDA ratio of 17, higher than comparable deals that occurred instead in advanced economies, the report said.The planned purchase also casts doubts on the company's plans for shareholder returns, as it has remaining shares to repurchase in line with its acquisition of Australia-based Carlton & United Breweries in 2020, according to Nikkei.The company is also still grappling with the impact of a cyberattack that disrupted its shipments for months, the report said.Asahi looks to acquire 65% in the East Africa Breweries for $3 billion in an effort to hold a major share in the African market, the report said.The deal's success would hinge partly on the strength of the elephant-branded Tusker beer, which is widely recognized in the region, the report said.Asahi will draw experience from previous large-scale deals in various locations, with no major drawdowns and robust overseas operations serving as anchors, according to the report.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)