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Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. (BUD) will end more than150 years as a family-controlled company with its acceptance of a $70-per-share offer from Belgium-based InBev NV, which puts a $52 billion price tag on the iconic American brewer.

When times are hard consumers cut back on luxury items. But they don’t cut back on beer.

On Sunday Anheuser-Busch (BUD) accepted a $49.9 billion takeover bid from Belgian-based InBev (INB). This consolidation in the market has sent brewery stocks rallying while US benchmark indexes tumble.

If the takeover goes through, Ian Davis  in The Growth Stock Wire says InBev will be the undisputed leader in the global market. This is not only a safe option during an economic downturn, but it’s also a great way of investing in emerging markets…

After two weeks of nail-biting speculation, InBev NV pulled the trigger on its takeover offer to Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. (BUD), putting up a $46.3 billion, or $65 per share, cash bid for the U.S. market leader.

Shares of the largest U.S. brewer, Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. (BUD), maker of such iconic brands as Budweiser and Bud Light, shot up more than 7% on Friday on news that the Belgium-based InBev NV was considering a $46 billion takeover bid.