InBev yesterday said its acquisition of Anheuser-Busch was “on track” to close by the end of the year as it reported third-quarter earnings slightly ahead of analysts’ expectations.

The Belgo-Brazilian brewer said earnings before interest and tax rose 4.5 per cent to €1.1bn ($1.4bn), and sales revenues increased 7.7 per cent to €3.9bn in the quarter.