THE EARNINGS: Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., the nation’s largest brewer, saw second-quarter profit rise 1.8 percent to $689 million.

THE PRICE HIKES: Facing rising costs for ingredients and fuel, the company said starting in September it will charge between 3 percent and 5 percent more for the majority of the beers it sells in the U.S. Analysts and the company don’t expect that drinkers will be deterred.

THE FUTURE: Executives told investors little Wednesday about the company’s $52 billion takeover by Belgian-brewer InBev SA, which was announced last week. But they did say they expect the deal to close by the end of the year.