Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) Shares Gap Up on Strong Earnings

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD)’s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. 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 changing hands.

The consumer goods maker reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $14.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.43 billion. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 13.57%. The firm’s revenue was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.65 earnings per share.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on BUD. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. BNP Paribas cut shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $71.70.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Maso Capital Partners Ltd bought a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the 1st quarter worth approximately $608,000. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC grew its holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 5.3% during the 1st quarter. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC now owns 4,567 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $278,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares during the period. TBH Global Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC now owns 12,569 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $764,000 after acquiring an additional 587 shares in the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 26,383 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $1,604,000 after purchasing an additional 1,454 shares during the period. Finally, Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 10.4% during the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 7,736 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $470,000 after purchasing an additional 729 shares during the period. 5.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $110.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.96, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.11. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $60.21 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.48.

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.