Ascent Group LLC Sells 10,755 Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD)

Ascent Group LLC trimmed its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD - Free Report) by 33.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,978 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock after selling 10,755 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC's holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV were worth $1,050,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of BUD. Dodge & Cox boosted its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 27.7% during the fourth quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 39,996,830 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock valued at $2,002,641,000 after acquiring an additional 8,670,940 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 7.2% during the fourth quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 7,569,492 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock valued at $379,004,000 after acquiring an additional 505,206 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 5.5% during the fourth quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 2,594,619 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock valued at $129,201,000 after acquiring an additional 134,243 shares during the last quarter. Clarkston Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 30.3% during the fourth quarter. Clarkston Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,493,842 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock valued at $74,797,000 after acquiring an additional 347,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership bought a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter valued at $56,849,000. 5.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price target for the company from $70.10 to $88.00 in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Argus raised 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. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, May 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $71.50.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of BUD stock traded down $0.03 on Friday, reaching $70.50. 1,716,849 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,892,437. The company has a market cap of $126.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.76, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a 50-day moving average of $65.11 and a 200-day moving average of $57.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.51. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a one year low of $45.94 and a one year high of $70.75.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD - Get Free Report) last released 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 10.98% and a return on equity of 15.29%. The firm's revenue was down 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.75 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 7th will be given a $1.0492 dividend. This is a boost from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's previous annual dividend of $0.87. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 7th. This represents a yield of 1.2%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.32%.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV 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.