Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) Stock Rating Upgraded by The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Monday morning, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage currently has $88.00 price objective on the consumer goods maker’s stock, up from their previous price objective of $70.10.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on BUD. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Argus raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $70.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. StockNews.com raised Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, May 10th. Finally, Berenberg Bank started coverage on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a “buy” rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $71.50.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Trading Up 0.7%

NYSE BUD opened at $66.35 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $119.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.83. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $63.53 and a 200 day simple moving average of $56.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.51. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a one year low of $45.94 and a one year high of $67.55.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.81 EPS 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%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.75 earnings per share. Research 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 business also recently announced an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 7th will be given a dividend of $1.0492 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 7th. This is an increase from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s previous annual dividend of $0.87. This represents a yield of 1.2%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s payout ratio is 22.32%.

Institutional Trading of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Empirical Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter worth about $2,127,000. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC raised its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 1.6% during the fourth quarter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC now owns 28,993 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $1,452,000 after buying an additional 464 shares during the last quarter. Premier Path Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 13.3% during the fourth quarter. Premier Path Wealth Partners LLC now owns 21,488 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $1,076,000 after buying an additional 2,527 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LVW Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 33.2% in the fourth quarter. LVW Advisors LLC now owns 6,444 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $323,000 after buying an additional 1,606 shares in the last quarter. 5.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other 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.