Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) Lowered to “Hold” Rating by StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report published on Sunday morning.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Berenberg Bank began coverage on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $70.10 to $88.00 in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Argus upgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $70.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $71.50.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Price Performance

BUD stock opened at $67.51 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $63.74 and a 200-day simple moving average of $56.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $121.33 billion, a PE ratio of 20.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.83. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 1 year low of $45.94 and a 1 year high of $67.60.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.75 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 7th will be paid a dividend of $1.0492 per share. This represents a yield of 1.2%. This is a boost from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s previous annual dividend of $0.87. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 7th. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s dividend payout ratio is 22.32%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BUD. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 2,722.7% during the fourth quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 621 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 599 shares in the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the first quarter worth $32,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Garde Capital Inc. acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the first quarter worth $37,000. 5.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.