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The Business Matrix: Saturday 30 June 2012

Anheuser raises Mexican stake

The world's biggest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev, will take full control of Corona Extra beer maker Modelo in a $20.1bn (£12.9bn) deal. It is the latest move by a Western brewer to tap rapid emerging market growth. Under the deal, the owner of Budweiser will swallow the half of Mexico's Grupo Modelo it doesn't already own, giving the Belgian-Brazilian multinational a 50 per cent-plus market share in Mexico.

£2bn for British creditors of MFG

As much as $3.2bn (£2bn) could be returned to creditors of the British arm of failed broker MF Global, according to administrators at KPMG. Claims could reach $3.9bn, and the administrator estimated a minimum of $2.8bn is available to settle claims against MF's estate. The US parent company filed for bankruptcy in October after being flooded with margin calls following disastrous bets placed on eurozone government debt.

Melrose snaps up German Elster

Manufacturing investment group Melrose struck its first deal in four years today after agreeing to buy German utility-meter maker Elster Group for $2.3bn (£1.5bn). Melrose, which buys manufacturing firms it feels are underperforming and tries to turn them round and sell them, said the bulk of the cash to pay for the deal will come from a fully underwritten £1.2bn rights issue.

Betfair banks a £1bn euro bonus

The Euro 2012 football championships have been Betfair's most successful ever sporting event. It has taken in more than £1bn of bets. For the year to April, revenue climbed 6 per cent to £390m, while profits were £14m higher at £41.6m. That represents a return to form for Betfair, which has stumbled since a controversial – some say overpriced – float in 2011.

Career Services

Day In a Page

Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
After the flood: From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands
Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.
How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

At first it seemed clever and cute. Then the 'Keep Calm' motif went mad, spawning endless offshoots.
The man who built Brum: A lament for the demise of John Madin's Brutalist Birmingham

John Madin: The man who built Brum

The architect's buildings were supposed to leave an indelible, futuristic mark on his beloved hometown but they are now being inexorably torn down.
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery at the Ginger Pig

School of chop: Learning the art of butchery

How do you butcher a lamb? Or make Mexican street food in a British kitchen? Christopher Hirst finds out.
James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats