SpaceX Prioritizes Moon Mission Before Mars as Starship Development Accelerates 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Weight-Loss Drug Ads Take Over the Super Bowl as Pharma Embraces Direct-to-Consumer Marketing 
SpaceX Pushes for Early Stock Index Inclusion Ahead of Potential Record-Breaking IPO 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Tencent Shares Slide After WeChat Restricts YuanBao AI Promotional Links 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
CK Hutchison Launches Arbitration After Panama Court Revokes Canal Port Licences 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Heineken, the Dutch brewing company, was reported to have agreed to acquire the largest brewery company in Namibia and a South African alcohol maker. The world-famous beer brand is set to buy the Distell Group Holdings and Namibia Breweries Ltd., which was announced earlier this week.
According to Reuters, Heineken is buying the two companies to form a southern African drinks group valuing €4 billion or about $4.6 billion. With its acquisition of Distell, the second largest brewery in the world, standing next to Anheuser-Busch InBev, it will move forward in its push into the wine and spirits venture.
Heineken will be able to start by marketing Distell's popular brands of wines and liqueur, such as Nederburg and Amarula. It was reported that the company would be acquiring Distell for about 40.1 billion in South African rand, which is equivalent to more or less $2.62 billion.
The number is said to be the value of Distell's entire business at 180 rand per share. A discount of 1.4 percent was applied to the stock's Friday close. Heineken is also set to take over Namibian Breweries Ltd (NBL), with a current market valuation of €400 million.
In the deal, the Dutch company will be purchasing the 50.01% interest of Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies in NBL Investment Holdings that owns 59.4% of NBL. Heineken will own the remaining 49.99% after the transactions.
"We are very excited to bring together three strong businesses to create a regional beverage champion, perfectly positioned to capture significant growth opportunities in Southern Africa," Heineken N.V. chief executive officer and chairman of the executive board, Dolf Van Den Brink, said in a press release.
He added, "Distell is a highly regarded, resilient business with leading brands, a talented workforce and a strong track record of innovation and growth in Africa. With NBL, there are exciting opportunities to expand premium beer and cider in Namibia and grow the iconic Windhoek brand beyond its home market."
The deal is the first acquisition transaction since Dolf van den Brink took charge and led the company in June 2020. Finally, The Wall Street Journal reported that Heineken's move comes as its CEO seeks to cut costs and hasten growth at the brewer.
