Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) Short Interest Up 30.1% in May

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 8,000,000 shares, an increase of 30.1% from the May 15th total of 6,150,000 shares. Currently, 0.5% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 2,310,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.5 days.

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

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter valued at $49,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the 4th quarter valued at about $376,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 33.0% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 6,653 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock valued at $335,000 after buying an additional 1,649 shares during the period. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 21.6% in the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 3,519 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock valued at $176,000 after buying an additional 626 shares during the period. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 53.5% in the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 14,242 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock worth $713,000 after buying an additional 4,966 shares during the last quarter. 5.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have issued reports on BUD. Berenberg Bank assumed coverage on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, May 18th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $70.10 to $88.00 in a report on Monday, May 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $71.50.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BUD traded down $0.80 on Tuesday, hitting $70.45. 3,069,345 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,948,056. The firm has a market capitalization of $126.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 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. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 1-year low of $45.94 and a 1-year high of $72.13. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $67.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $58.82.

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

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Increases Dividend

The firm 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 yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 7th. This is an increase from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's previous annual dividend of $0.87. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's dividend payout ratio is 24.64%.

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.

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