Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) Hits New 1-Year High - Time to Buy?

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $72.11 and last traded at $72.05, with a volume of 265051 shares. The stock had previously closed at $71.22.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BUD has been the subject of several analyst reports. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. BNP Paribas upgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 30th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, May 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their target price for the company from $70.10 to $88.00 in a report on Monday, May 12th. Finally, 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. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $71.50.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Trading Up 0.6%

The stock has a market capitalization of $127.44 billion, a PE ratio of 20.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $67.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $58.99.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.04. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 11.74% and a return on equity of 16.09%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's quarterly revenue was down 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.75 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 7th were issued a $1.0492 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 7th. This is a boost from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's previous annual dividend of $0.87. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's payout ratio is 24.64%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter valued at about $36,000. Garde Capital Inc. bought a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the first quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the fourth quarter worth about $40,000. 5.53% of the stock is owned by 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.