Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) Shares Gap Up to $60.57

Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $60.57, but opened at $63.51. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV shares last traded at $63.18, with a volume of 1,058,721 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have issued reports on BUD shares. BNP Paribas downgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $60.00 to $76.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their target price on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $71.70.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $60.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $61.46. The stock has a market cap of $109.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.85, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.11.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $14.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.34 billion. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 13.57%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.98 EPS. Analysts forecast that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 7th. Investors of record on Monday, May 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.8722 per share. This represents a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 3rd. This is an increase from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s previous annual dividend of $0.61. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s payout ratio is currently 24.53%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 28.5% in the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 38,355 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $2,121,000 after acquiring an additional 8,511 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 21.1% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 66,379 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $3,671,000 after buying an additional 11,564 shares in the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. purchased a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 3rd quarter worth about $707,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 43.4% in the 3rd quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 2,183 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $121,000 after buying an additional 661 shares during the period. Finally, Advisor Partners II LLC lifted its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 26.7% during the 3rd quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 12,205 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $675,000 after acquiring an additional 2,570 shares during the period. 5.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Company Profile

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV produces, distributes, exports, markets, and sells beer and beverages. It offers a portfolio of approximately 500 beer brands, which primarily include Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois; Beck's, Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Michelob Ultra; and Aguila, Antarctica, Bud Light, Brahma, Cass, Castle, Castle Lite, Cristal, Harbin, Jupiler, Modelo Especial, Quilmes, Victoria, Sedrin, and Skol brands.