Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), a leading beer and beverage company, has been given a consensus recommendation of “Hold” by eight ratings firms, according to Bloomberg.com. Out of the analysts covering the stock, two have rated it as a sell, one has assigned a hold rating, and five have given it a buy rating. This diverse range of opinions reflects the varying perspectives within the investment community.
These ratings come alongside an average twelve-month target price of $73.43 among brokers who have recently updated their coverage on the stock. It is important to note that this target price is subject to change as new information becomes available.
In terms of institutional investments, several hedge funds have made modifications to their holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV. For example, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC significantly increased its stake in the company by an impressive 82,251.7% during the fourth quarter, bringing its total shares owned to 4,778,048. Similarly, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust purchased a new stake in the second quarter valued at approximately $96,594,000.
Other prominent institutional investors who have increased their positions in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV include The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and Citigroup Inc. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its stake by 11.7% during the fourth quarter and now owns 11,088,566 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $665,758,000. Meanwhile, Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings by 3,313.9% in the second quarter and now possesses 823,558 shares valued at $46,712,000.
Balyasny Asset Management L.P., another notable institution in the financial world, also grew its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by a significant margin. The firm now owns 668,419 shares, representing a 589.5% increase from the first quarter of this year.
In total, institutional investors own 5.53% of the company’s stock. This level of institutional interest demonstrates the confidence that these influential investors have in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and its prospects for future growth.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is a major player in the beer and beverage industry, producing, distributing, marketing, and selling a wide range of well-known brands. Its portfolio includes approximately 500 beer labels, with popular offerings such as Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois, Beck’s, and Michelob Ultra.
The company also markets an array of other brands like Aguila, Antarctica, Brahma, Cass, Harbin, Jupiler, Quilmes, Victoria Sedin, and Skol. These diverse product offerings cater to a broad spectrum of consumer preferences across various demographics and geographic regions.
As always, it is crucial for investors to conduct their own independent analysis before making any investment decisions regarding Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV or any other potential investments. While the current consensus rating suggests a “Hold” recommendation for the stock as of September 26th, 2023, individual investors should consider their own investment goals and risk tolerance when assessing the potential benefits and risks associated with this company’s securities.
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Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV: Mixed Ratings and Uncertain Outlook
In recent months, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE: BUD) has received various ratings and price target updates from research firms, adding an interesting layer of complexity to its future prospects. The beer-making giant has garnered significant attention, which has resulted in a mixture of sentiment from analysts.
One notable upgrade came from Morgan Stanley, who shifted their rating for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from “equal weight” to “overweight.” In addition, they raised the stock’s price target from $64.00 to $68.50 on July 20th. This upgrade reflects the confidence that Morgan Stanley has in the company’s potential for growth and profitability.
Not to be outdone, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft also upgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s shares, transitioning their rating from “hold” to “buy.” This move occurred on June 22nd and further reinforced the positive outlook for the company.
Despite these bullish changes in ratings, other research firms have taken a more cautious stance. StockNews.com initiated coverage of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV with a “hold” rating on August 17th. TD Cowen followed suit, commencing their coverage with an “outperform” rating on September 15th. These divergent ratings highlight the uncertainty surrounding the stock’s performance.
Furthermore, Evercore ISI released a research report on June 8th that reduced the price target for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $80.00 to $70.00. While this reduction may raise eyebrows among investors, it is essential to consider multiple opinions before making any investment decisions.
Turning our attention to the current state of affairs for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, its stock opened at $55.21 on September 26th. Over the past year, the stock has seen a low of $44.51 and a high of $67.09. These price fluctuations underline the volatility inherent in the stock market.
Examining the financial health of the company, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV boasts a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.64, indicating its ability to meet short-term obligations. Additionally, the company’s market cap is $95.91 billion, with a P/E ratio of 17.81 and a beta of 1.26.
Taking into consideration its recent earnings report on August 2nd, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV surpassed analysts’ expectations by reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $0.72 for the quarter compared to the consensus estimate of $0.68 EPS – an overperformance that could potentially influence investor sentiment positively.
Overall, research analysts predict that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post an EPS of 3.06 for the current fiscal year.
While these ratings and predictions provide some insight into the future prospects of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, investors should exercise caution and conduct their due diligence before making any investment decisions. The diverse opinions surrounding this stock illustrate both its potential rewards and risks, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in these tumultuous times.
