First Trust Advisors LP Makes New $585,000 Investment in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD)

First Trust Advisors LP purchased a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 11,674 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock, valued at approximately $585,000.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in BUD. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 2,722.7% in the fourth 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 period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter worth approximately $49,000. Finally, Hurley Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter worth approximately $49,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 5.53% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their target price for the company from $70.10 to $88.00 in a report on Monday. Berenberg Bank began coverage on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a "buy" rating for the company. StockNews.com raised Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, May 10th. 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. Finally, Argus raised Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $70.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $71.50.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Up 1.7%

Shares of BUD traded up $1.13 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $67.39. 759,396 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,868,511. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $63.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $56.76. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 12-month low of $45.94 and a 12-month high of $67.55. The company has a market cap of $121.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.81 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.75 EPS. The firm's revenue was down 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 EPS for the current year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 7th will be paid a dividend of $1.0492 per share. This represents a yield of 1.2%. This is a positive change from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's previous annual dividend of $0.87. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 7th. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's payout ratio is currently 22.32%.

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.