InBev and Anheuser-Busch merger

InBev NV and Anheuser-Busch Cos., the world's first- and second-largest brewers, rose in trading after the Wall Street Journal said the rivals have discussed a merger that may happen this year.

A merger of the two biggest beermakers by sales would make sense
because they dominate different parts of the world, analysts say. It
also would help them to stay in the lead as SABMiller Plc and Molson
Coors Brewing Co. combine their U.S. units to compete more
effectively in the country and Carlsberg A/S steps up its growth by
taking over Scottish & Newcastle Plc with Heineken NV.