Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NYSE:BUD)

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) was the target of unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Traders purchased 14,014 call options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 141% compared to the typical daily volume of 5,827 call options.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Up 8.5 %

Shares of NYSE BUD traded up $4.64 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $59.41. 2,532,880 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,263,644. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $49.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.76. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a twelve month low of $45.94 and a twelve month high of $67.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The company has a market cap of $106.77 billion, a PE ratio of 18.34, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.08.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.13. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a return on equity of 15.29% and a net margin of 10.98%. Research analysts predict that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in BUD. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the fourth quarter worth approximately $30,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 2,722.7% in the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 621 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 599 shares during the period. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.53% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $65.00 to $55.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $64.00.

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.