Skip Olinger

Are American Companies Now Up For Grabs?

Mr. Shepard,

I really don't understand what point your are trying to make here or if there is one.

Is it bad that a Belgian company buys BUD? You make it sound like a crime against nature. Do you think they will change the taste of the beer? Maybe they will send the Clydesdales to the glue factory and bring in Belgian work horses instead? It seems to me that many Americans only believe in free markets when we are the buyer. What would happen if BUD bought out the remaining stake in Modello? Would you be writing an article about how bad it is that Mexico just lost an iconic brand to an Amercian company? What really makes me laugh is how some people equate the sale of BUD to foreign company as the same thing as selling national security interests. It isn't. It is just a beer company. The Bush family has had years to create value for shareholders, which in my opinion they have not done. In a free enterprise economy, that is what matters. Its about time someone came in and realized the value in this company, be he Belgian or Martian.

Maybe your point is that the dollar is down so foreign companies will find assets in America cheaper than they were a year ago? I don't think that requires rocket science. I was hoping you would make some suggestions about which companies would be especially likely to be bought and why. That would have some value.

As for your analysis of investment banks, again what is your point?? Is it that because their profits are down they will stoop to advising European companies about acquiring US businesses?? Is that bad?? I thought that is what investment banks did - advise companies on M&A regardless of their national affiliation. Is that is lower margin business than selling stock to Mr and Mrs Retail Investor and should only be pursued as a last resort? I doubt it. Are European companies and investment banks so stupid that they would not be able to figure out on their own American companies look cheaper after the decline in the dollar? Again, I doubt it. Those little Europeans can occasionally be pretty smart all by themselves so you had better hide your women and children.

My suggestion to you is think before you write.