SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 23, 2005
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Delaware 1-7823 43-1162835
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
One Busch Place, St. Louis, Missouri 63118
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 314-577-2000
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NONE
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01. Other Events.
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FAS
123R, "Shared-Based Payment," requiring recognition of compensation expense
for employee stock options. Adoption of the new standard is mandatory by the
third quarter 2005.
As previously reported, Anheuser-Busch had planned to early adopt FAS 123R
in the first quarter 2005. The company had also planned to retrospectively
apply the new standard to all prior period results in order to aid in
comparability. The company had expected the impact of adoption on 2005 net
income and earnings per share to approximate the impact previously disclosed
for 2004.
Both the FASB and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have
indicated that they plan to issue new, substantive implementation guidance
on FAS 123R in the near future, which could significantly change stock
option expense estimates for 2005. Anheuser-Busch has therefore decided to
defer its adoption of FAS 123R until the required third quarter 2005
implementation date to assure that its accounting and reporting practices
will reflect the final FASB and SEC guidance. The company will defer a
decision on whether it will apply FAS 123R prospectively or retrospectively
until after it has reviewed the final guidance from the FASB and SEC.
SIGNATURES
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
(Registrant)
BY: /s/ John F. Kelly
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John F. Kelly
Vice President and Controller
March 28, 2005
(Date)