Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) Sets New 12-Month High – Still a Buy?

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $72.11 and last traded at $72.05, with a volume of 265051 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $71.22.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on BUD. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Argus upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $70.00 price target for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price objective for the company from $70.10 to $88.00 in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, May 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $71.50.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $128.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $67.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $58.70.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.04. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a return on equity of 15.29% and a net margin of 10.98%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.75 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect 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 was paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 7th were paid a dividend of $1.0492 per share. This represents a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 7th. This is a positive change from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s previous annual dividend of $0.87. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s payout ratio is 24.35%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in BUD. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the 4th quarter valued at about $49,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $376,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 33.0% in the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 6,653 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $335,000 after buying an additional 1,649 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 21.6% during the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 3,519 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $176,000 after acquiring an additional 626 shares during the period. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 53.5% during the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 14,242 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $713,000 after acquiring an additional 4,966 shares during the last quarter. 5.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

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.