MEXICO CITY (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 16, 2011--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that its ratings on Mexico-based Coca-Cola Femsa S.A.B. de C.V. (KOF; A-/Stable/--) are unaffected by the company's agreement to merge its bottling operations with those of Grupo Fomento Queretano (not rated). The value of the transaction is Mexican pesos (MXN) 6.6 billion. Closing of the transaction is subject to the completion of due diligence and regulatory and corporate approvals. As a result of the merger, Grupo Fomento Queretano's shareholders will receive 45.1 million newly issued KOF series L shares. The number of shares could be adjusted within agreed-upon thresholds, pending the completion of the due diligence process. KOF will also assume MXN1.221 billion in net debt.
