Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,660,000 shares, a growth of 12.2% from the May 15th total of 2,370,000 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 1,990,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, TD Cowen decreased their target price on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $72.13.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Performance

Shares of BUD stock traded down $0.96 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $59.49. 1,591,079 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,149,910. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $61.76 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $62.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.63. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 12-month low of $51.66 and a 12-month high of $67.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $103.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.12.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.06. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a return on equity of 14.01% and a net margin of 8.03%. The firm had revenue of $14.55 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.43 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.65 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.42 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 7th. Investors of record on Monday, May 6th were paid a dividend of $0.8722 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 3rd. This represents a yield of 1.1%. This is a boost from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s previous annual dividend of $0.61. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s dividend payout ratio is currently 27.31%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Naples Money Management LLC purchased a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 125.4% in the 3rd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 629 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 116.5% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 643 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares during the period. Finally, Janiczek Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 111.0% in the fourth quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 882 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 464 shares in the last quarter. 5.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.