The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company Purchases 505,206 Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD)

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD - Free Report) by 7.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,569,492 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock after purchasing an additional 505,206 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company owned 0.42% of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV worth $379,004,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of BUD. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 2,722.7% during the fourth quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 621 shares of the consumer goods maker's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 599 shares in the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the fourth quarter worth approximately $49,000. Finally, Hurley Capital LLC bought a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the fourth quarter worth approximately $49,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 5.53% of the company's stock.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Performance

NYSE BUD traded down $0.79 during trading on Thursday, hitting $65.02. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,050,495 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,873,114. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 52 week low of $45.94 and a 52 week high of $67.49. The firm has a market cap of $116.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.80. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $62.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $56.68. 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 Wednesday, February 26th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.13. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 10.98% and a return on equity of 15.29%. The business had revenue of $14.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.07 billion. Equities research analysts forecast that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 7th will be given a dividend of $1.0492 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 7th. This is an increase from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's previous annual dividend of $0.87. This represents a yield of 1.2%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Berenberg Bank started coverage on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. TD Cowen reduced their price target on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $65.00 to $55.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. StockNews.com raised Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. 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. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $66.00.

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.