Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. has significantly increased its investment in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, raising its stake by an impressive 95.9% in the first quarter of this year. According to data from HoldingsChannel.com, the investment firm now holds 2,878 shares of the multinational beverage company, having acquired an additional 1,409 shares during this period. As of the latest financial reporting, Whittier Trust’s shares in Anheuser-Busch InBev are valued at approximately $177,000.
Several other institutional investors have also made notable adjustments to their positions in Anheuser-Busch InBev. For instance, Apollon Wealth Management LLC entered the market with a new investment worth about $233,000. Concurrently, Signaturefd LLC boosted its holdings by 8.4%, now owning 17,410 shares valued at about $1,072,000, after purchasing an additional 1,349 shares. Other firms, such as Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. and Pittenger & Anderson Inc., have also acquired new stakes or increased their existing ones, contributing to the overall rise in institutional ownership, which currently stands at 5.53% of the company’s stock.
Analysts Project Positive Outlook for Anheuser-Busch InBev
Recent reports from equity research analysts indicate a generally optimistic outlook for Anheuser-Busch InBev. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded the company’s rating from “neutral” to “buy” on May 12, 2023, while also raising the price target from $70.10 to $88.00. Similarly, Argus upgraded its rating from “hold” to “buy,” setting a price objective of $70.00 on March 27, 2023. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage with a “buy” rating on April 2, 2023. In contrast, Wall Street Zen downgraded the stock from “buy” to “hold” on May 18, 2023, reflecting a mixed sentiment in the market.
At present, the consensus rating for Anheuser-Busch InBev stands at “buy,” with an average target price of $71.50. This rating reflects the views of six analysts advocating for a buy, two maintaining a hold, and three suggesting a strong buy.
Financial Performance and Recent Developments
On May 8, 2023, Anheuser-Busch InBev announced its earnings, reporting earnings per share of $0.81, which surpassed analysts’ expectations of $0.77 by $0.04. The company recorded a net margin of 11.74% and a return on equity of 16.09%. Despite the positive earnings surprise, the company experienced a 6.3% decline in revenue year-over-year. Last year, the business reported earnings per share of $0.75 for the same quarter. Analysts forecast that Anheuser-Busch InBev will achieve earnings of $3.37 per share for the current year.
In addition to these financial updates, Anheuser-Busch InBev recently announced an increase in its annual dividend. On June 6, 2023, shareholders received a dividend of $1.0492 per share, representing a yield of 1.2%. This marks an increase from the previous annual dividend of $0.87 per share. The company’s payout ratio currently sits at 24.64%, indicating a sustainable approach to returning value to shareholders.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV operates as a leading global brewer, producing, distributing, and marketing a diverse portfolio of approximately 500 beer brands, including well-known names such as Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois, among others. As the company continues to navigate the complexities of the global beverage market, these developments highlight the increasing interest from institutional investors and the positive forecasts from analysts, suggesting a promising trajectory ahead.
