David Belaunde

Ian Shackleton & David Belaunde

David Belaunde, an analyst at Lehman Brothers, reckons buying Coors would be a good move for SABMiller if the opportunity arose.

Belaunde reckons buying Coors would generate "huge cost synergies" and would enable the combined company to compete more effectively against Anheuser Busch Cos.Inc. (BUD), the world's largest brewer.It would also allow SABMiller greater negotiating power over the distribution system in the U.S.

However, such a deal would effectively create a duopoly in the U.S. and could run into competition issues, he said.

Alternatively, Belaunde suggested the company might be interested in buying Scottish & Newcastle.

David Belaunde

David Belaunde

David Belaunde +44 20 7102 1063