Short Interest in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) Rises By 20.3%

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,930,000 shares, an increase of 20.3% from the February 28th total of 4,930,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,320,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.6 days. Approximately 0.3% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:BUD traded up $0.49 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $62.09. 2,295,637 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,779,133. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $111.59 billion, a PE ratio of 19.16, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.96. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $56.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.75. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 12-month low of $45.94 and a 12-month high of $67.49.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.88 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.13. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a return on equity of 15.29% and a net margin of 10.98%. The business had revenue of $14.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.07 billion. On average, research analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BUD. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 2,722.7% during the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 621 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 599 shares in the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. bought a new position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 4th quarter worth $40,000. 5.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Argus upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $70.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Berenberg Bank assumed coverage on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Wednesday. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. TD Cowen cut their target price on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $65.00 to $55.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $66.00.

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.