InBev raises offer for brewer Anheuser-Busch

Reports: Maker of Bud beer is likely to accept sweetened buyout offer

updated 1 hour, 1 minute ago

ST. LOUIS - After weeks of public bickering, Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc.’s board is likely to accept a sweetened buyout offer from the Belgian-based brewer InBev SA as early as this weekend, a published report said.

The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal both cite unnamed sources in reports Friday that the talks have become friendly.

The Journal reported that InBev has boosted its takeover offer for the St. Louis-based maker of Budweiser, Bud Light and other beers by $5 a share to $70. It said the Anheuser-Busch board is likely to accept the offer this weekend.

That would be a stunning turnaround from the often heated rhetoric between the two companies over the past several days.

Anheuser-Busch “does not confirm, deny or speculate on rumors of potential investments, acquisitions, mergers, new business partnerships or other transactions,â€