AB InBev issued a press release yesterday evening to announce that it has, together with Grupo Modelo, Constellation Brands and Crown Imports started discussions with the US Department of Justice on the proposed acquisition of the remaining stake in Grupo Model it does not already own. The parties, including the US DoJ, have approached the court to request a stay of all litigation proceedings until 19 March. Our View: This news of renewed discussions with the US DoJ seems a logical step after the recently announced reviewed agreement with Constellation Brands whereby Constellation Brands would acquire Modelo’s Piedras Negras brewery andbe granted perpetual rights for Corona and the Modelo brands in the US market. With Constellation being no longer dependent on AB InBev for production of the Modelo beers, we believe the chances are high that a deal with the US DoJ will be struck in the near future.