For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.82% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev, alias AB InBev, is a global brewing company with more than 500 iconic brands. The company’s leading position in majority of its markets and strong global footprint provide economies-of-scale advantages and support the global growth of its multi-country brands. Its strategy is based on efforts to develop a portfolio of brands that cater to extensive consumer needs within the market, in terms of price range, flavor profiles and brand meaning.
BUD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. BUD has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 17.7% for the current fiscal year.
Two analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.00 to $4.39 per share. BUD also boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, BUD should be on investors' short list.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.82% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev, alias AB InBev, is a global brewing company with more than 500 iconic brands. The company’s leading position in majority of its markets and strong global footprint provide economies-of-scale advantages and support the global growth of its multi-country brands. Its strategy is based on efforts to develop a portfolio of brands that cater to extensive consumer needs within the market, in terms of price range, flavor profiles and brand meaning.
BUD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Momentum investors should take note of this Consumer Staples stock. BUD has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 6.3% over the past four weeks.
Two analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.00 to $4.39 per share. BUD also boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, BUD should be on investors' short list.
SummaryAnheuser-Busch InBev remains a hold due to persistent headwinds despite strong profitability and reasonable valuation metrics.Shifting generational drinking habits and a shrinking Baby Boomer cohort present long-term demand risks for BUD.Potential tailwinds include currency benefits from a weaker dollar and inflation positioning, with non-alcoholic beverages showing notable growth.BUD’s high margins and improving balance sheet are attractive, but sustained demand concerns and limited dividend growth keep my rating at hold. jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Thesis: I remain stuck at a hold with Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) despite solid profitability and reasonable valuation metrics. Sustained headwinds, including a global cool-off in drinking habits among younger generations, keep me at a
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev, alias AB InBev, is a global brewing company with more than 500 iconic brands. The company’s leading position in majority of its markets and strong global footprint provide economies-of-scale advantages and support the global growth of its multi-country brands. Its strategy is based on efforts to develop a portfolio of brands that cater to extensive consumer needs within the market, in terms of price range, flavor profiles and brand meaning.
BUD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 17.92; value investors should take notice.
For fiscal 2026, two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.00 to $4.39 per share. BUD boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, BUD should be on investors' short list.
Key Takeaways BUD's U.S. Beyond Beer portfolio posted mid-70% revenue growth in Q2 2026, driven by strong RTD demand.Cutwater delivered revenue growth, becoming the No. 1 market share gainer in the U.S. spirits industry.BUD is leveraging NUTRL, BeatBox and distribution strength to expand its RTD reach amid rising competition. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD - Free Report) , popularly known as AB InBev, is gaining momentum in the U.S. Beyond Beer category, supported by strong consumer demand, portfolio innovation and continued investments in high-growth beverage segments. In second-quarter 2026, the company's U.S. Beyond Beer portfolio delivered revenue growth in the mid-70% range, reflecting its expanding presence beyond traditional beer. The performance highlights BUD's efforts to diversify its product offerings and capture evolving consumer preferences, particularly in the rapidly growing ready-to-drink (RTD) spirits category.
A major contributor to this momentum has been Cutwater, which recorded triple-digit revenue growth during the quarter. The brand emerged as the No. 1 market share gainer across the U.S. spirits industry, reflecting strong consumer acceptance and effective market execution. AB InBev continues to expand Cutwater's product variety to address different consumption occasions and strengthen its competitive position. Alongside Cutwater, the company is leveraging its NUTRL portfolio and the recently acquired BeatBox business to broaden its exposure to the RTD category and reach a wider consumer base.
BUD's established brand-building capabilities, extensive distribution network and investments in production capacity are supporting its Beyond Beer expansion. Management emphasized that the company faces no significant supply constraints in the RTD segment, providing room to expand distribution and improve sales productivity. AB InBev also sees meaningful opportunities to increase its presence across markets as demand develops. Beyond the United States, the company expanded the availability of Flying Fish into eight markets during the first half of 2026, underscoring its strategy to scale Beyond Beer brands internationally and diversify its revenue streams.
Looking ahead, BUD's Beyond Beer business appears well-positioned to benefit from changing drinking preferences and growing consumer interest in convenient, differentiated alcoholic beverages. Its ability to combine product innovation, brand investments and distribution strength could support further market share gains and incremental revenue growth. However, intensifying competition from established spirits producers and emerging RTD brands remains an important factor to monitor. Sustaining the current momentum will depend on continued innovation, effective execution and the company's ability to translate rising consumer demand into profitable long-term growth.
BUD’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesAB InBev’s shares have gained 30% in the past year compared with the industry’s 15.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BUD trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.37X compared with the industry’s average of 14.53X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BUD’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) indicates year-over-year growth of 17.4% and 11.8%, respectively. The company’s EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have remained stable in the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AB InBev stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Stocks to ConsiderDiageo Plc (DEO - Free Report) is a global beverage alcohol company that produces, distills, brews, bottles, packages and distributes spirits, wine and beer. DEO currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DEO’s fiscal 2027 sales implies a decline of 3.1%, while the same for earnings suggests 2.1% growth from the previous year’s reported numbers.
The Coca-Cola Company (KO - Free Report) is the world's largest non-alcoholic beverage company, marketing a broad portfolio of sparkling soft drinks, water, juice, coffee, tea and sports beverages. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Coca-Cola’s 2026 sales and earnings indicates growth of 4% and 10%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels. KO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.6%, on average.
Ambev S.A. (ABEV - Free Report) engages in the production, distribution and sale of beer, draft beer, soft drinks, malt and food, and other beverages. ABEV currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ABEV’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 14.6% and 16.7%, respectively.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Get Free Report) and Fomento Economico Mexicano (NYSE:FMX – Get Free Report) are both large-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends and risk.
Valuation and Earnings This table compares Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Fomento Economico Mexicano”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV $59.32 billion 2.63 $6.84 billion $4.72 16.39 Fomento Economico Mexicano $43.86 billion 0.94 $1.08 billion $5.00 23.83 Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has higher revenue and earnings than Fomento Economico Mexicano. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Fomento Economico Mexicano, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider and Institutional Ownership 5.5% of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 61.0% of Fomento Economico Mexicano shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.5% of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Fomento Economico Mexicano shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Fomento Economico Mexicano, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV 0 4 12 0 2.75 Fomento Economico Mexicano 0 4 3 0 2.43 Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV currently has a consensus target price of $88.83, suggesting a potential upside of 14.86%. Fomento Economico Mexicano has a consensus target price of $135.67, suggesting a potential upside of 13.84%. Given Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is more favorable than Fomento Economico Mexicano.
Risk & Volatility Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a beta of 0.57, indicating that its share price is 43% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Fomento Economico Mexicano has a beta of 0.41, indicating that its share price is 59% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Dividends Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV pays an annual dividend of $1.41 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Fomento Economico Mexicano pays an annual dividend of $2.43 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV pays out 29.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Fomento Economico Mexicano pays out 48.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.
Profitability This table compares Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Fomento Economico Mexicano’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV 14.90% 16.42% 7.47% Fomento Economico Mexicano 3.60% 7.24% 2.82% Summary Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV beats Fomento Economico Mexicano on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.
(Get Free Report)
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. The company operates in North America, Middle America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company was founded in 1366 and is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium.
About Fomento Economico Mexicano (Get Free Report)
Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, operates as a bottler of Coca-Cola trademark beverages. The company produces, markets, and distributes Coca-Cola trademark beverages in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. It also operates small-box retail chain stores in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Brazil under the OXXO name; retail service stations for fuels, motor oils, lubricants, and car care products under the OXXO GAS name in Mexico; and drugstores in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico under the Cruz Verde, Fybeca, SanaSana, YZA, La Moderna, and Farmacon names. In addition, the company is involved in the production and distribution of collers, commercial refrigeration equipment, plastic boxes, food processing, and preservation and weighing equipment; and provision of logistic transportation, distribution and maintenance, point-of-sale refrigeration, and plastics solutions, as well as distribution platform for cleaning products and consumables. Further, it operates small-box retail and food convenience chain stores in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands under the k kiosk, Brezelkönig, BackWerk, Ditsch, Press & Books, avec, Caffè Spettacolo, and ok.) names, as well as pretzels under the Ditsch name. The company was founded in 1890 and is based in Monterrey, Mexico.
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Players in the Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry are creating growth avenues through ready-to-drink cocktails, low- and no-alcohol offerings, and broader portfolio innovation. These products address the demand for convenience, variety, moderation and affordability while helping companies capture new drinking occasions. Gen Z also remains an important long-term opportunity, with younger legal-drinking-age consumers favoring discovery, social experiences, perceived value and distinctive brands. This supports investment in experiential marketing, occasion-based products and targeted innovation.
However, tariffs could pressure U.S. beverage alcohol companies by raising costs for imported packaging, materials and beverages, particularly for businesses with global supply chains. Companies may need to absorb these costs or raise prices, potentially hurting margins or demand. At the same time, persistent softness in alcohol consumption, cost-of-living pressures, trading down and moderation trends could weigh on volumes, pricing power and earnings growth, especially for brands with weaker differentiation or limited pricing flexibility.
Leading players such as Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD - Free Report) , Diageo Plc (DEO - Free Report) , Constellation Brands Inc. (STZ - Free Report) , Brown-Forman Corporation (BF.B - Free Report) and Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP - Free Report) look well-placed to capitalize on innovation trends.
About the Industry The Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry mainly comprises producers, importers, exporters, marketers and sellers of alcoholic beverages like beer, craft beer, ciders, wine, rum, whiskey, liqueurs, vodka, tequila, champagnes, brandy, amaretto, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails and malt. Some industry players also produce and sell non-alcoholic beverages like carbonated soft drinks, sparkling waters, bottled water, energy drinks, powdered and natural juices, and RTD teas. The companies sell products through wholesalers and retailers like supermarkets, warehouse clubs, grocery stores, convenience stores, package stores, drug stores and other retail outlets. The industry participants also sell beer directly to consumers in cans and bottles at restaurants, pubs, bars and liquor stores. Some brewers operate brewpubs or tasting rooms at breweries, offering consumers the freshest beer.
What's Shaping the Future of Beverages - Alcohol Industry Innovation Beyond Traditional Alcohol Creates Growth Runway: Despite softer industry volumes, beverage companies are unlocking growth opportunities through innovation. Demand for ready-to-drink cocktails continues to outpace most traditional alcohol categories as consumers seek convenience, flavor variety and affordability. At the same time, low- and no-alcohol beverages are evolving into a meaningful profit pool rather than a niche offering, attracting consumers who want moderation without abandoning social drinking. Leading brewers and spirits companies are expanding product portfolios to address these changing occasions, allowing them to capture incremental demand instead of relying solely on traditional alcohol consumption. Successful innovation could offset category pressures and strengthen long-term market positioning.
Gen Z Engagement & Experience-Led Drinking Offer Opportunities: Younger legal-drinking-age consumers remain an important long-term opportunity for the U.S. beverage alcohol industry. Rather than abandoning alcohol altogether, Gen Z consumers are becoming more selective about when, where and what they drink, placing greater emphasis on discovery, social experiences and perceived value. Recent data indicates that Gen Z participation in alcohol has remained relatively stable, while this group also shows strong engagement with on-premise channels. This creates opportunities for beverage companies to drive demand through distinctive brands, experiential marketing, occasion-based offerings and targeted innovation that resonates with evolving consumer preferences.
Tariffs Could Squeeze Margins: Tariffs are emerging as a meaningful overhang for U.S. beverage alcohol companies with global sourcing and international supply chains. Higher duties on imported glass bottles, aluminum, packaging materials and select beverage imports can raise input costs, forcing producers to either absorb the increase or pass it on to consumers. While premium brands have greater pricing flexibility, mass-market labels remain more vulnerable to demand erosion from higher shelf prices. Investors should watch for margin pressure, procurement disruptions and slower earnings growth, particularly among companies with significant import exposure or limited domestic sourcing capabilities.
Beyond tariffs, the biggest challenge is persistent softness in overall alcohol consumption. Cost-of-living pressures are prompting consumers to drink less, trade down or become more selective about purchases, while moderation trends are also weighing on demand. This environment could continue to pressure volumes, pricing power and margins, particularly for brands lacking strong value propositions or differentiated premium offerings.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects The Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry is a 17-stock group within the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #107, placing it at the top 43% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gradually gaining confidence in this group’s earnings growth potential.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let us take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Underperforms S&P 500 The Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry has outperformed the broader sector and underperformed the S&P 500 in the past year.
The stocks in the industry have collectively returned 12.5% in the past year, whereas the Zacks Consumer Staples sector has risen 2.2%. Meanwhile, the Zacks S&P 500 composite has rallied 16.1%.
1-Year Price Performance
Beverages - Alcohol Industry's Valuation Based on the forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, commonly used to value Consumer Staples stocks, the industry is currently trading at 14.22X compared with the S&P 500’s 19.85X and the sector’s 16.17X.
Over the last five years, the industry traded as high as 24.03X, as low as 13.77X and at the median of 17.87X, as the chart below shows.
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (Past 5 Years)
5 Alcohol Beverages Stocks to Keep a Close Eye on One stock in the Zacks Beverages – Alcohol space currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), but none of the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We have selected four stocks with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) to watch from the same industry. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Let us have a look at the companies.
Diageo: The stock of this London-based leading beverage company has declined 11.4% in the past year. DEO operates in approximately 180 countries, and is involved in producing, distilling, brewing, bottling, packaging, and distributing spirits, wine and beer. The company continues to place innovation and consumer moderation at the center of its long-term growth strategy, addressing evolving consumption patterns, and diversifying its portfolio. Innovation remains a key driver, with strong momentum across tequila, whisky, beer and RTD formats.
Equally important is Diageo’s push into moderation, wherein it has established clear leadership in non-alcoholic spirits. The company is refining its $2-billion productivity program to drive efficiency across the business while ensuring long-term sustainable growth. A key focus is balancing cost savings with strategic reinvestment, particularly in marketing and brand activation. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Diageo’s fiscal 2027 EPS has moved up 3.4% in the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings suggests growth of 2.1% from the year-ago period’s reported figure. The company currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.
Price & Consensus: DEO
Anheuser-Busch InBev: Also known as AB InBev, this is a global brewing leader with a portfolio of iconic brands spanning diverse geographies. Its leading positions across key markets and expansive global footprint provide meaningful scale advantages, enabling efficient operations and the ability to grow multi-country brands worldwide. The company continues to benefit from resilient consumer demand for its core brands, supported by strong business momentum, driven by disciplined execution, sustained brand investment and an accelerated digital transformation agenda. Premiumization remains a central growth lever, as consumers increasingly trade up within the beer category.
Beyond core beer, AB InBev is steadily expanding its Beyond Beer portfolio, encompassing ready-to-drink offerings, such as canned wines and cocktails, along with hard seltzers, ciders and flavored malt beverages. This diversification strategy is enhancing relevance across occasions and consumer segments, while providing an incremental growth runway and supporting top-line momentum. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AB InBev’s 2026 sales and earnings suggests growth of 8.6% and 17.4% from the year-ago period’s reported figures. The consensus mark for the company’s 2026 earnings has moved up by a penny in the past seven days. The Zacks Rank #3 stock has rallied 27% in the past year.
Price & Consensus: BUD
Constellation Brands: The Victor, NY-based third-largest beer company and a leading, high-end wine company in the United States continues to benefit from a sharp focus on brand building and a steady cadence of innovation. The company’s premiumization strategy remains a key growth driver, led by the sustained strength of the Modelo and Corona brand families, and continued traction across its Power Brands portfolio. Its beer business is benefiting from premium and above-premium trends, supported by growth in traditional beer and adjacent categories, such as flavored beer, seltzers, RTD spirits and flavored malt beverages.
STZ is actively investing to extend the momentum of its Power Brands, aligning innovation with evolving consumer preferences and delivering successful product launches. Meanwhile, the company’s digital momentum continues to build through platforms such as Instacart, Drizly and retailer-owned channels, reflecting consumers’ growing preference for convenience-driven purchasing. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STZ’s fiscal 2027 earnings per share has moved down 0.3% in the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings suggests a decline of 0.1% from the year-ago period’s reported figure. The Zacks Rank #3 stock has lost 19% in the past year.
Price & Consensus: STZ
Brown-Forman: Based in Louisville, KY, this is a global spirits company that manufactures, distills, bottles, imports, exports, markets and sells a broad portfolio of premium alcoholic beverages. The company’s growth strategy is anchored in premiumization, with a clear focus on high-quality, premium and super-premium spirits that support brand equity and margin resilience. The portfolio has been streamlined around core power brands such as Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve, complemented by successful additions like the Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola RTD, and the integration of super-premium labels Gin Mare and Diplomático.
Emerging markets continue to provide a strong growth offset, driven by rising middle-class demand and momentum across the Jack Daniel’s family. Disciplined pricing, innovation, distribution evolution and tighter cost-control underpin long-term value creation despite near-term pressures. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BF.B’s fiscal 2027 sales and earnings suggests growth of 0.5% and 9.2%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s reported figures. The consensus mark for the Zacks Rank #3 company’s fiscal 2026 earnings has been unchanged in the past 30 days. BF.B has declined 5.2% in the past year.
Price & Consensus: BF.B
Molson Coors: The stock of this Chicago, IL-based leading beverage company has declined 19.1% in the past year. TAP is on track with its revitalization plan, focused on achieving sustainable top-line growth by streamlining its organization and reinvesting resources into its brands and capabilities. Investments, partnerships and product launches, which are part of its revitalization plan, have been aiding the company.
Molson Coors has been committed to increasing its market share through innovation and premiumization. Intending to accelerate portfolio premiumization, TAP has been aggressively growing its above-premium portfolio in the past few years. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Molson Coors’ 2026 EPS has been unchanged in the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for the Zacks Rank #3 company’s 2026 sales and earnings suggests declines of 0.7% and 11.3%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s reported figures.
Key Takeaways AB InBev's no-alcohol beer revenues rose 27% in Q2'26 amid growing demand.AB InBev's U.S. no-alcohol beer revenues grew in the mid-thirties, led by Michelob Ultra Zero.AB InBev saw no-alcohol beer volumes grow at high-thirties and low-thirties rates in Mexico and Brazil. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD - Free Report) , alias AB InBev, is expanding its zero-alcohol beer portfolio as consumer preferences shift toward balanced choices and more mindful drinking occasions. The company’s no-alcohol beer revenues increased 27% in the second quarter of 2026, highlighting growing demand for alternatives that offer the taste and experience of beer with lower alcohol content. The company’s Balanced Choices portfolio, which includes low-carb, low-calorie, sugar-free, gluten-free and no-alcohol offerings, delivered 13% revenue growth during the quarter, with no-alcohol beer leading performance.
AB InBev’s strategy focuses on providing consumers with more options across occasions while strengthening its leadership in emerging beverage segments. The company noted that its no-alcohol beer portfolio gained share and reinforced its leadership position in the category by value, according to Nielsen. In the United States, AB InBev remained the leader in no-alcohol beer, with its portfolio gaining share and revenue growing in the mid-thirties, led by Michelob Ultra Zero.
The momentum is also visible across international markets. In Mexico, AB InBev strengthened its position in no-alcohol beer, with its portfolio growing volume at a high-thirties rate, supported by Modelo Cero and the launch of Michelob Ultra Zero. In Brazil, the company highlighted Balanced Choices as a key growth area, with its no-alcohol beer portfolio volumes growing in the low-thirties.
As health-conscious consumers increasingly seek moderation without compromising on brand experience, AB InBev’s zero-alcohol innovations could help broaden its consumer base. By combining established brands with evolving product choices, the company aims to capture new occasions and strengthen long-term category growth.
BUD’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesAB InBev’s shares have rallied 24.8% in the past year compared with the industry’s 12.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BUD trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 15.53X compared with the industry’s average of 14.18X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BUD’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) indicates year-over-year growth of 17.7% and 12.3%, respectively. The company’s EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved up by a penny in the past seven days. AB InBev currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider in the Consumer Staples SpaceThe Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) , which is a distributor of specialty food products in the United States, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chefs' Warehouse's current financial-year sales and EPS indicates growth of 10.7% and 33.7%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.
Diageo Plc (DEO - Free Report) is a global beverage alcohol company operating in approximately 180 countries. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Diageo’s current financial-year EPS is expected to rise 2.1% from the year-ago reported figure.
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW - Free Report) is a leading global manufacturer, marketer and distributor of value-added frozen potato products, particularly French fries, and also provides a range of appetizers. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lamb Weston’s current financial-year EPS indicates growth of 1.7% from the year-ago number. LW delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 24.6%, on average.
Rising rates have boomers flocking to Treasuries, but five battle-tested dividend payers with 50-plus years of consecutive increases may offer something bonds simply cannot deliver.
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With interest rates rising, many boomers are starting to look at U.S. Treasuries as an income option. The downside of owning guaranteed government debt is that if rates rise after you buy bonds or notes, prices could fall. That’s fine if you plan to hold sovereign U.S. debt to maturity. But after inflation, your yield is somewhat compromised, and you have virtually zero potential for growth in a bond investment unless interest rates plunge and the bonds trade higher. That scenario is unlikely to play out anytime soon. Buying dividend-paying stocks with growth potential can improve your odds of solid total return.
The Dividend Kings are the 58 companies that have raised their dividends for at least 50 years, a testament to their dependability and consistency. Those are two “must-have” items for Boomer investors who rely on passive income to supplement their overall income from sources like Social Security or pension payments. Unlike the Dividend Aristocrats, Dividend Kings don’t have to be S&P 500 members. We screened the list for the safest stocks investors may need to get more familiar with and identified five top companies that pay substantial dividends and offer a solid source of passive income and growth potential to fight inflation. Top Wall Street firms we cover at 24/7 Wall St. rate all five stocks a Buy.
Why Do We Cover the Dividend Kings? Investors seeking defensive companies that pay substantial dividends are drawn to the Dividend Kings, and with good reason. The 58 companies that made the cut for the 2026 Dividend Kings list have increased their dividends (not just maintained the same level) for 50 consecutive years. Companies that have raised dividends for shareholders for 50 years or more are the kinds of investments passive income investors need to own. Dependability is crucial for investors seeking to grow their annual income through dividend stocks.
Altria Altria (NYSE: MO | MO Price Prediction) is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of cigarettes and other tobacco-related products. This tobacco stock offers value investors a solid entry point and a 6.18% dividend. Altria manufactures and sells smokable and oral tobacco products in the United States primarily to wholesalers, including distributors and large retail organizations, such as chain stores. With massive cash flow and the world’s largest cigarette brand, this company is a compelling choice for Boomers.
The company primarily sells cigarettes under the Marlboro brand, as well as:
Cigars and pipe tobacco, principally under the Black & Mild and Middleton brands Moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands on! Oral nicotine pouches e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand Altria used to own over 10% of Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD), the world’s largest brewer. In March of 2024, the company sold 35 million of its 197 million shares through a global secondary offering. That represents 18% of its holdings but still leaves 8% of the outstanding shares in its back pocket. Altria also announced a $2.4 billion stock repurchase plan partially funded by the sale.
Altria increased its quarterly dividend in 2026 by 4.7%, from $1.06 to $1.11 per share, marking its 61st consecutive dividend increase over the last 57 years.
UBS has a Buy rating with a $79 target price.
Hormel Foods Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) is an American food processing company founded in 1891 in Austin, Minnesota. It offers dual pricing power through branded products and private-label manufacturing, along with a reliable 5.71% dividend yield. Shares are down almost 16% in 2026, but Hormel’s stable payout structure and consumer staple resilience make it the overall safety winner.
Hormel develops, processes, and distributes a range of meat, nuts, and other food products to retail, foodservice, deli, and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments:
Retail Food Service International Hormel is a Dividend Aristocrat with over 50 years of dividend increases and is a consumer staples company focused on protein-based packaged foods. Its yield is historically high, and the Hormel Foundation’s oversight ensures dividend reliability. The company is restructuring its portfolio and cutting costs to improve performance.
The company provides various perishable products, including fresh meats, frozen items, refrigerated meal solutions, sausages, hams, guacamole, and bacon, and shelf-stable products, including canned luncheon meats, nut butter, snack nuts, chili, shelf-stable microwaveable meals, hash, stews, tortillas, salsas, tortilla chips, nutritional food supplements, and others. It sells its products under these brands:
Hormel Always Tender Applegate Austin Blues Bacon 1 Black Label Bread Ready Burke Café H Ceratti Chi-Chi’s Columbus Compleats Corn Nuts Cure 81 Dan’s Prize Di Lusso Dinty Moore Don Miguel Doña Maria Embasa Fast N Easy Fire Braised Fontanini Happy Little Plants Herdez Hormel Gatherings Hormel Square Table Hormel Vital Cuisine House of Tsang Jennie-O Justin’s La Victoria Layout Lloyd’s Mary Kitchen Mr. Peanut Natural Choice Nut-rition Old Smokehouse Oven Ready Pillow Pack Planters Rosa Grande Sadler’s Smokehouse Skippy Spam Special Recipe Thick & Easy Valley Fresh Wholly Goldman Sachs has a Buy rating with a $29 target price.
Kenvue Kenvue (NYSE: KVUE) spun out of Johnson & Johnson in August 2023 and is being acquired by Kimberly-Clark. It pays a reliable 4.71% dividend and is a consumer health company. The company’s differentiated brand portfolio includes Aveeno, Band-Aid, Johnson’s, Listerine, and Neutrogena, and its products connect with consumers across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.
It operates through three segments. The Self Care segment product categories include pain care; cough, cold, and allergy; digestive health; smoking cessation; eye care; and other products, including such brands as:
Tylenol Motrin Nicorette Benadryl Zyrtec Zarbee’s Rhinocort Calpol The Skin Health and Beauty segment is focused on face and body care, as well as hair, sun, and other products. The Essential Health segment includes oral care, baby care, women’s health, wound care, and other products.
Shareholders will receive $3.50 in cash plus 0.14625 shares of Kimberly-Clark for each share of Kenvue. The mixed cash-and-stock acquisition values Kenvue at approximately $48.7 billion. Based on the initial announcement terms, the total implied value was roughly $21.01 per share, though the current value fluctuates with Kimberly-Clark’s share price. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, and shareholders would receive a premium over the current market price.
Canaccord has a Buy rating with an $18 target price.
Kimberly-Clark This American multinational personal care company primarily produces paper-based consumer products. Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) has raised its dividend for 54 consecutive years; the current yield is a rich 5.20%. The company manufactures and markets personal care and consumer tissue products worldwide.
Its Personal Care segment offers a diverse range of products, including:
Disposable diapers Swim pants, training and youth pants, baby wipes Feminine and incontinence care products, as well as related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Depends, Plenitud, Softex, Poise, and other brand names The Consumer Tissue segment provides facial and bathroom tissues, paper towels, napkins, and related products under the brand names:
Kleenex Scott Cottonelle Viva Andrex Scottex Neve The acquisition of Kenvue will create a combined consumer health and wellness company and an industry giant.
Piper Sandler has an Overweight rating with a $118 target price.
PepsiCo This top consumer staples stock reported surprisingly solid second-quarter earnings and will keep supplying the goods for fall football tailgates and parties. PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) is a worldwide food and beverage company. With a diversified snack and beverage empire, strong interest coverage, and healthy cash flow conversion, this is a top pick for Boomers, offering a 4.47% dividend yield. The company raised its annualized dividend by 4% in 2026, increasing the payout from $5.69 to $5.92 per share. That was the company’s 54th consecutive annual dividend increase.
Its Frito-Lay North America segment offers:
Lay’s and Ruffles potato chips Doritos, Tostitos, and Santitas tortilla chips Cheetos cheese-flavored snacks, branded dips Fritos corn chips The Quaker Foods North America segment provides:
Quaker Oatmeal Grits Rice cakes Natural granola and oat squares Pearl Milling mixes and syrups Quaker Chewy granola bars Cap’n Crunch cereal Life cereal Rice-A-Roni side dishes PepsiCo’s North America Beverages segment offers beverage concentrates, fountain syrups, and finished goods under these brands:
Pepsi Gatorade Mountain Dew Diet Pepsi Aquafina Diet Mountain Dew Tropicana Pure Premium Sierra Mist Mug BNP Paribas has an Outperform rating with a $161 target price.
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Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seventeen ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $91.08.
A number of research firms have recently weighed in on BUD. Bank of America reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a report on Thursday, September 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $93.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BUD
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 10,464.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,190,248 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $262,876,000 after buying an additional 3,160,049 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 7,474.5% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 522,643 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $43,066,000 after buying an additional 515,743 shares in the last quarter. Cook & Bynum Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,282,514. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 64.7% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 810,874 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $56,250,000 after acquiring an additional 318,600 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 24.0% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 370,795 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $25,723,000 after acquiring an additional 71,779 shares in the last quarter. 5.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Trading Down 3.6% Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV stock opened at $74.31 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $150.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 0.66. The company has a fifty day moving average of $80.09 and a 200 day moving average of $78.50. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a fifty-two week low of $58.44 and a fifty-two week high of $86.60.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The consumer goods maker reported $1.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.09 by $0.12. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a return on equity of 16.42% and a net margin of 14.90%.The business had revenue of $16.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.23 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.98 EPS. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 4.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
(Get Free Report)
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is a global brewer headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. The company produces, markets and distributes beer and other alcoholic beverages through a portfolio of international, regional and local brands. Its best-known brands include Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois, Michelob Ultra, Beck’s, Hoegaarden and Brahma, along with numerous country-specific offerings.
The company serves consumers across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific through a broad network of breweries, distribution operations and commercial partnerships.
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Quarterly financial reports play a vital role on Wall Street, as they help investors see how a company has performed and what might be coming down the road in the near-term. And out of all of the metrics and results to consider, earnings is one of the most important.
We know earnings results are vital, but how a company performs compared to bottom line expectations can be even more important when it comes to stock prices, especially in the near-term. This means that investors might want to take advantage of these earnings surprises.
Hunting for 'earnings whispers' or companies poised to beat their quarterly earnings estimates is a somewhat common practice. But that doesn't make it easy. One way that has been proven to work is by using the Zacks Earnings ESP tool.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Earnings ESP, or Expected Surprise Prediction, aims to find earnings surprises by focusing on the most recent analyst revisions. The basic premise is that if an analyst reevaluates their earnings estimate ahead of an earnings release, it means they likely have new information that could possibly be more accurate.
The core of the ESP model is comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, where the resulting percentage difference between the two equals the Expected Surprise Prediction. The Zacks Rank is also factored into the ESP metric to better help find companies that appear poised to top their next bottom-line consensus estimate, which will hopefully help lift the stock price.
When we join a positive earnings ESP with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or stronger, stocks posted a positive bottom-line surprise 70% of the time. Plus, this system saw investors produce roughly 28% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Stocks with a ranking of #3 (Hold), or 60% of all stocks covered by the Zacks Rank, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with rankings of #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy), or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market; Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Anheuser-Busch Inbev?The last thing we will do today, now that we have a grasp on the ESP and how powerful of a tool it can be, is to quickly look at a qualifying stock. Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) holds a #3 (Hold) at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $1.16 a share 30 days away from its upcoming earnings release on October 29, 2026.
BUD has an Earnings ESP figure of +1.22%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $1.16 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.15. Anheuser-Busch Inbev is one of a large database of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
BUD is just one of a large group of Consumer Staples stocks with a positive ESP figure. Philip Morris (PM - Free Report) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.
Philip Morris, which is readying to report earnings on October 20, 2026, sits at a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) right now. Its Most Accurate Estimate is currently $2.33 a share, and PM is 21 days out from its next earnings report.
Philip Morris' Earnings ESP figure currently stands at +1.95% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.29.
Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, BUD and PM could potentially post earnings beats in their next reports.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
The Consumer Staples group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Consumer Staples peers, we might be able to answer that question.
Anheuser-Busch Inbev is a member of the Consumer Staples sector. This group includes 185 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #16. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.
The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. Anheuser-Busch Inbev is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for BUD's full-year earnings has moved 1.2% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.
According to our latest data, BUD has moved about 21.8% on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, stocks in the Consumer Staples group have gained about 6.7% on average. As we can see, Anheuser-Busch Inbev is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.
Another stock in the Consumer Staples sector, DSM Firmenich AG - Sponsored ADR (DSFIY - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 38.6%.
In DSM Firmenich AG - Sponsored ADR's case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 7.7% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Looking more specifically, Anheuser-Busch Inbev belongs to the Beverages - Alcohol industry, a group that includes 17 individual stocks and currently sits at #106 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 11.5% so far this year, meaning that BUD is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.
On the other hand, DSM Firmenich AG - Sponsored ADR belongs to the Cosmetics industry. This 8-stock industry is currently ranked #187. The industry has moved -6.4% year to date.
Anheuser-Busch Inbev and DSM Firmenich AG - Sponsored ADR could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Consumer Staples stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.
QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Free Report) by 13.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 99,913 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock after buying an additional 11,832 shares during the quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV were worth $8,233,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 10,464.1% during the second quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,190,248 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $262,876,000 after purchasing an additional 3,160,049 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 7,474.5% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 522,643 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $43,066,000 after purchasing an additional 515,743 shares during the period. Cook & Bynum Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,282,514. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 64.7% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 810,874 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $56,250,000 after purchasing an additional 318,600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 24.0% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 370,795 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $25,723,000 after buying an additional 71,779 shares during the period. 5.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Analysts Set New Price Targets BUD has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research note on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $93.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Barclays reissued an “equal weight” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $91.08.
View Our Latest Stock Report on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Price Performance BUD stock opened at $77.47 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $80.36 and a 200 day moving average price of $78.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stock has a market cap of $156.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.41, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.59. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a fifty-two week low of $58.44 and a fifty-two week high of $86.60.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The consumer goods maker reported $1.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.09 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $16.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.23 billion. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 14.90% and a return on equity of 16.42%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.98 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 4.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV this week:
Positive Sentiment: RBC maintained its Buy rating on Anheuser-Busch InBev, reinforcing the view that the brewer’s valuation and operating outlook remain attractive. RBC maintains Buy rating Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, Jefferies and UBS each reaffirmed their Buy ratings, creating a consistent bullish analyst backdrop for BUD. Analysts reaffirm Buy ratings Positive Sentiment: Anheuser-Busch’s analyst and investor-day transcript and presentation provide investors with updated management commentary and strategic details, potentially supporting confidence in the company’s longer-term growth plans. Analyst and Investor Day Transcript Analyst and Investor Day Slideshow Positive Sentiment: The company plans to invest $23 million in its Colorado brewery, signaling continued commitment to production capacity and its U.S. operations. Colorado Brewery Investment Neutral Sentiment: A report on elevated Treasury yields and income-focused bond ETFs is not directly related to Anheuser-Busch’s fundamentals, though higher yields could modestly affect investor preferences for income-producing assets. Treasury Yields and Bond ETFs (Free Report)
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is a global brewing and beverage company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. The company produces, markets and distributes beer and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages through a broad portfolio of international, regional and local brands.
Its leading brands include Budweiser, Bud Light, Corona, Stella Artois, Michelob ULTRA, Beck’s, Hoegaarden and Leffe. AB InBev also offers a range of craft, premium, flavored and alcohol-free beverages, serving consumers through retail, hospitality and e-commerce channels.
The company was formed in 2008 through the combination of InBev and Anheuser-Busch, bringing together Anheuser-Busch’s U.S.
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Treasury Yields Hit a 19-Year High—These 2 Bond ETFs Offer Monthly IncomeAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV NYSE: BUD outlined a new medium-term target for 5% to 9% average annual EBIT growth as the brewer shifts its primary performance measure from EBITDA to EBIT, citing improved balance-sheet strength, capital efficiency and an increased focus on organic growth.
Speaking at the company’s 2026 Capital Markets Day in St. Louis, Chief Financial Officer Fernando Tennenbaum said the company’s strategy to “optimize our business” centers on consistent growth, disciplined resource allocation, free cash flow generation and dynamic capital allocation.
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The World Cup Is Coming—These 3 Stocks Could Cash In“We want to maximize shareholder value over time,” Tennenbaum said, adding that investments, operating decisions and capital allocation choices are being evaluated through that lens.
Growth, Margins and Cash Flow Tennenbaum said AB InBev has invested more than $7 billion annually in sales and marketing on average since 2021, supporting its brands, commercial platforms and operating capabilities. He said the company’s revenue has compounded at a mid-single-digit rate over the past five years, supported by volume, revenue management and favorable mix.
Before the IPO: 4 Companies That Rewarded Investors Who Got In EarlyThe CFO said the company expanded gross margin by 200 basis points and EBITDA margin by 220 basis points between 2023 and 2025. The improvement came as input costs increased broadly in line with inflation, allowing the brewer to pursue disciplined revenue management, production efficiencies and overhead-cost controls while continuing brand investment.
Underlying earnings per share increased at an 8.3% compound annual growth rate since 2021, according to Tennenbaum. He also said return on invested capital has risen 120 basis points since 2021, driven by profit growth and improved capital efficiency.
AB InBev reduced net capital expenditures to $3.6 billion in 2025 from $5.5 billion in 2021. Nearly half of capital expenditures have been directed toward growth projects, including a $400 million brewery in Colombia, expanded Beyond Beer, premium beer and non-alcohol beer production, and supply-chain investments.
The company said it is targeting an average water-use efficiency ratio of two hectoliters of water per hectoliter of production across its global breweries by 2030.
Free cash flow rose from $9 billion in 2021 to nearly $14 billion over the 12 months ended June 30, 2026, Tennenbaum said. He cited EBITDA growth, disciplined capital expenditures, lower net interest expense from deleveraging and the company’s negative working-capital cycle as factors supporting cash generation.
Capital Allocation Priorities AB InBev said its first capital allocation priority remains funding organic growth. After that, excess cash is allocated among deleveraging, shareholder returns and selective mergers and acquisitions.
The company allocated $25 billion of cash toward debt reduction from 2021 through 2025 and reached a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio below 3 times for the first time since 2015, according to Tennenbaum. Leverage stood at 2.87 times at the end of 2025, while the company’s stated optimal capital structure remains around 2 times.
Management said it intends to fully fund growth plans, progressively raise its dividend, complete its current $6 billion share repurchase program and continue strengthening the balance sheet. AB InBev has completed $5.5 billion in share repurchases since 2023, with $3.7 billion remaining under a 24-month program announced in October 2025.
Tennenbaum said acquisitions and divestitures must compete with organic investments for capital. He pointed to bolt-on acquisitions including BeatBox, as well as earlier acquisitions of Cutwater and NÜTRL, while noting the company has sold non-core brands and assets in the U.S.
Shift to EBIT Outlook Management said the move from an EBITDA target to an EBIT target reflects the company’s transition from a “reset” phase focused on deleveraging and capability building to a “reignite” phase centered on growth and asset utilization.
“When you move into reignite, it’s not only the growth that you generate, but how you grow,” Tennenbaum said in response to an analyst question. He added that depreciation is a lagging indicator and that the company still expects some benefit from lower capital spending to emerge in depreciation expense.
The company maintained its 2026 outlook for EBITDA growth of 4% to 8% and said it will provide an outlook for 2027 when it reports full-year 2026 results.
Chief Executive Officer Michel Doukeris said the company aims to sustain growth, accelerate growth investments and translate those efforts into shareholder value. He described beer as the company’s core business while identifying Beyond Beer, digital products and selected adjacent categories as opportunities that can complement its existing brands and route-to-market capabilities.
Doukeris said Beyond Beer currently represents a $2 billion business growing at more than 30%, according to his remarks. He also said the company will assess additional opportunities market by market, provided they offer attractive returns and leverage AB InBev’s existing assets.
In Asia, Doukeris said AB InBev sees long-term potential but acknowledged challenges in China, where post-pandemic shifts in geography and sales channels affected the business. He said the company is adjusting its portfolio, channel strategy and geographic focus. Outside China, he cited share gains in South Korea, high-double-digit growth in parts of Southeast Asia and a more than 20% share position in India.
“The Reset is complete, and the Reignite has begun,” Doukeris said in closing the event.
About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD)Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is a global brewing and beverage company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. The company produces, markets and distributes beer and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages through a broad portfolio of international, regional and local brands.
Its leading brands include Budweiser, Bud Light, Corona, Stella Artois, Michelob ULTRA, Beck's, Hoegaarden and Leffe. AB InBev also offers a range of craft, premium, flavored and alcohol-free beverages, serving consumers through retail, hospitality and e-commerce channels.
The company was formed in 2008 through the combination of InBev and Anheuser-Busch, bringing together Anheuser-Busch's U.S.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) Analyst/Investor Day September 22, 2026 9:30 AM EDT
Company Participants
Shaun Fullalove - Global Vice President of Investor Relations
Michel Doukeris - Chief Executive Officer
Ricardo Tadeu - Chief Growth Officer
Marcel Marcondes
Felipe Ambra
Richard Oppy
Dani Waks
Leanne Martin
Lucas Herscovici - Chief Direct-to-Consumer Officer
Nick Caton - Chief B2B Officer
David Henrique Galatro de Almeida - Chief Strategy & Technology Officer
Brendan Whitworth - Chief Executive Officer of North America Zone
Kyle Norrington - Chief Commercial Officer
Fernando Tennenbaum - Chief Financial Officer
Conference Call Participants
Edward Mundy - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Sanjeet Aujla - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Simon Hales - Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Chris Pitcher - Rothschild & Co Redburn, Research Division
Gen Cross - BNP Paribas, Research Division
Sarah Simon - Morgan Stanley, Research Division
Andrea Pistacchi - BofA Securities, Research Division
Jean-Olivier Nicolai - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Mitchell Collett - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division
Laurence Whyatt - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Please welcome to the stage, Shaun Fullalove.
Shaun Fullalove
Global Vice President of Investor Relations
Hello. Good morning, everyone. So, firstly, welcome to St. Louis. Thanks to those who have been able to join in person. It's hard to believe that it was 3 years ago already since we were all last together in Mexico City. This also marks the 3-year anniversary of my spinning class career. And so I look forward to revisiting that chapter with some of you at 6:30 in the morning tomorrow. Hopefully, the weather in St. Louis is as kind to us as it was in Mexico City. I know it was a long flight for many. Ironically, we have people from Cape Town, where I think it was quite easy. We have people from London and from Europe where it was quite easy. The hardest part to travel from apparently was New York yesterday. So those that persevered through the travel disruptions, we really appreciate you being here with us in person.
The World Cup Is Coming—These 3 Stocks Could Cash InAt its Capital Markets Day, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV NYSE: BUD emphasized its corporate culture, long-term growth strategy and U.S. sales capabilities, with CEO Michel Doukeris describing ownership and disciplined execution as central to the brewer’s effort to build an “organic compounding machine.”
Doukeris said the company has simplified and refreshed its 10 corporate principles over the past five years, placing ownership at the forefront. The principles are intended to provide a common operating framework for the company’s approximately 130,000 employees across regions including North America, Latin America and Africa, he said.
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Before the IPO: 4 Companies That Rewarded Investors Who Got In Early“Treating the company as owners is one of the most important things for us,” Doukeris said, noting that a significant portion of management compensation is linked to shares, restricted stock units and performance stock units.
Culture, Growth and Brand Investment Doukeris said AB InBev has shifted from a strategy centered on acquisitions to one focused on consistently compounding organic growth, with the goal of translating revenue growth into stronger earnings and shareholder returns. He said the company seeks to benchmark itself against peers, improve productivity and focus resources on the areas with the greatest potential impact.
Anheuser-Busch Stock Jumps as Volume Growth Signals TurnaroundHe pointed to Michelob ULTRA as an example of sustained brand development, describing it as the No. 1 brand and fastest-growing brand in the U.S. He said the brand has evolved from a small player roughly two decades ago into a global platform that is expanding across the Americas.
Doukeris also highlighted the company’s non-alcohol beer business. He said internal debate had once centered on whether the segment was sufficiently attractive to warrant greater investment, but advances in brewing technology and a decision to invest behind a global Olympic sponsorship helped the company establish a leadership position in the category.
“It was necessary to commit, it was necessary to take the leadership, it was necessary to invest ahead of time,” Doukeris said.
The company is tracking the number of consumers who say they love its brands as a key performance indicator, he said. Doukeris also cited Stella Pure Gold in Brazil as an example of portfolio innovation aimed at consumer interest in lower-carbohydrate, lower-calorie and gluten-free offerings.
Long-Term Planning and Portfolio Rebalancing Doukeris said AB InBev’s long-term planning supports investment decisions across brand building, supply chain and innovation. He said the company reduced capital expenditures from $5.5 billion to $3.6 billion while revenue, volume and portfolio development continued to grow. The savings, he said, resulted from productivity efforts, more coordinated long-term capacity planning and supplier negotiations.
He said those savings have allowed the company to reinvest in brand-building platforms, including the Olympics and UEFA Champions League.
Doukeris also reiterated the company’s focus on Beyond Beer, a category that includes ready-to-drink and mixed beverages. He said the business has reached $2 billion and is growing less than 10 years after the company began pursuing the opportunity. In the U.S., he cited Cutwater, NÜTRL and BeatBox as brands contributing to growth in spirits, saying the three-brand portfolio was up 37% year to date.
In discussing the U.S. business, Doukeris said the company has spent years rebalancing its portfolio toward faster-growing industry segments rather than attempting to offset declines in legacy brands through short-term measures. He said about half of the company’s U.S. portfolio is now in growing parts of the alcohol industry.
U.S. Route-to-Market Capabilities Simon Wuestenberg, chief sales officer for AB InBev’s U.S. business, said the brewer’s sales strategy is built around close coordination with nearly 400 independently owned wholesalers in the country’s three-tier alcohol system.
Those wholesalers deploy approximately 10,000 sales representatives and call on roughly 500,000 accounts, Wuestenberg said. On average, those accounts are visited more than once a week.
AB InBev has expanded its use of technology to help wholesalers prioritize sales opportunities, Wuestenberg said. The company’s AI-based tools analyze data points at individual accounts and recommend the actions expected to have the greatest impact, including opportunities to expand distribution for brands such as Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light and Cutwater.
AB InBev’s sales technology is fully adopted by its wholesaler system, according to Wuestenberg. The company serves about 350,000 independent accounts where decisions are made store by store or bar by bar. AB InBev has increased its category-captain role from 50% of industry stores and dollars to more than 70%, Wuestenberg said. Wuestenberg said chain retailers are also becoming increasingly important as sales shift toward larger and more consolidated groups. He said AB InBev is using category management, revenue management and trade-marketing capabilities to help retailers grow beer and Beyond Beer sales.
He also highlighted local activation of large marketing platforms. During the FIFA World Cup, Michelob ULTRA increased on-premise distribution by 13%, he said, while AB InBev and its wholesalers executed nearly 40,000 soccer-themed activations that reached more than 2 million consumers. The company plans to extend this approach to all of its mega brands in 2027, according to Wuestenberg.
About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD)Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is a global brewing and beverage company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. The company produces, markets and distributes beer and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages through a broad portfolio of international, regional and local brands.
Its leading brands include Budweiser, Bud Light, Corona, Stella Artois, Michelob ULTRA, Beck's, Hoegaarden and Leffe. AB InBev also offers a range of craft, premium, flavored and alcohol-free beverages, serving consumers through retail, hospitality and e-commerce channels.
The company was formed in 2008 through the combination of InBev and Anheuser-Busch, bringing together Anheuser-Busch's U.S.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Should You Invest $1,000 in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Right Now?Before you consider Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, you'll want to hear this.
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The World Cup Is Coming—These 3 Stocks Could Cash InAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV NYSE: BUD used its 2026 Capital Markets Day in St. Louis to outline the next phase of its 10-year strategy, emphasizing organic growth, portfolio expansion, digital platforms and increased capital-allocation flexibility.
Chief Executive Officer Michel Doukeris said the brewer has completed the first half of its plan, known internally as “Reset,” and is entering a new phase called “Reignite.” The company reiterated its focus on delivering consistent, compounding EBITDA growth within its 4% to 8% outlook range while increasing investments intended to accelerate growth.
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Before the IPO: 4 Companies That Rewarded Investors Who Got In EarlyDoukeris said ABI’s EBITDA increased from $19.2 billion in 2021 to $22.4 billion over the last 12 months, while net revenue rose from $54 billion to about $63 billion. Free cash flow reached $13.9 billion, up $4.6 billion since 2021, and the company reduced its net-debt ratio to below three times.
Growth strategy centers on beer, premiumization and digital platforms Chief Growth Officer Ricardo Tadeu said ABI expects structural beer-volume growth of roughly 0.3% to 0.5% annually across its footprint based on historical market trends. He said emerging and developing markets are a key advantage for ABI, accounting for more than 60% of its volume, and claimed the company captured 98% of beer-volume growth in those regions since 2019.
Anheuser-Busch Stock Jumps as Volume Growth Signals TurnaroundTadeu said ABI’s growth model is designed to combine volume growth, net revenue per hectoliter expansion and cash-flow generation rather than pursuing volume “at any cost.” The company is concentrating marketing support behind fewer brands, reducing the number of brands receiving meaningful investment from about 500 to 50.
Chief Marketing Officer Marcel Marcondes said those priority brands, referred to as “mega brands,” now represent 60% of ABI’s volume. The company has also built major marketing platforms around sports, music, travel and entertainment, including partnerships involving FIFA, the Olympics, tennis, the NBA, UEFA Champions League, Netflix and Live Nation.
Marcondes said ABI’s innovation business generates more than $6 billion annually. Its growth framework includes four principal levers:
Superior core beer brands supported by affordability and local relevance. Premiumization through Corona, Stella Artois, Michelob ULTRA and Budweiser. “Balanced choices,” including non-alcoholic and lower-calorie or lower-carbohydrate beers. Beyond-beer products, including ready-to-drink cocktails, flavored beverages and other spirits-based offerings. The balanced-choices portfolio now represents 11% of ABI’s business, Marcondes said. He added that the company’s beyond-beer revenue is growing 37%, though ABI described itself as a challenger rather than a category leader in that segment.
D2C and BEES scale data-driven commercial capabilities Chief Direct to Consumer Officer Lucas Herscovici said ABI’s direct-to-consumer platforms, including Zé Delivery, TaDa and PerfectDraft, are becoming a competitive advantage in consumer insights, brand building and innovation testing. During the first half of 2026, D2C net revenue increased 9%, active consumers rose 11%, and more than 4 million consumers were enrolled in the company’s rewards programs, he said.
Herscovici said online beer sales have grown five times faster in ABI’s D2C markets than in its non-D2C markets. He also said the company can use D2C platforms to test concepts, target product sampling and identify demand signals sooner than traditional methods.
Chief B2B Officer Nick Caton said BEES, ABI’s business-to-business platform, is live in 30 markets, connects more than 4 million retailers and generates about $60 billion in annualized gross merchandise value. BEES Marketplace generates around $5 billion of GMV and is expected to rank among ABI’s top 10 contributors to EBITDA growth this year, Doukeris said.
Caton said BEES has increased retailer engagement, with more than one-third of orders placed outside business hours and more than 3 million active members in its Club B rewards program. He said retailer net promoter scores have improved by more than 45 points to 71 since BEES was implemented.
In Brazil, Caton said BEES helped expand the number of buyers served from about 750,000 to 1.3 million and increased SKUs per buyer by roughly 20%. The company is also expanding its third-party platform model, through which partner companies digitize their own routes to market using BEES. That model represented more than half of BEES Marketplace GMV, according to Caton.
U.S. portfolio rebalance targets growth categories Brendan Whitworth, CEO of ABI’s North America zone, said the U.S. business has broadened from beer into spirits-based ready-to-drink products and energy drinks. He said ABI now competes across an almost $190 billion total-alcohol market, which grew 6% over the past five years, with energy representing a potential additional $25 billion addressable market.
Whitworth said brands above core beer and in beyond beer now account for about 48% of U.S. net revenue. He highlighted Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Cutwater, NÜTRL and recently acquired BeatBox as important growth brands. Cutwater is the largest ready-to-drink cocktail brand, according to Whitworth, while Michelob ULTRA and Busch Light have supported ABI’s U.S. beer-share growth since late 2024.
The company said it has also streamlined its U.S. portfolio, eliminating more than 60% of beyond-beer SKUs, more than 75% of craft SKUs and more than 30 brands. Whitworth said ABI has invested $2 billion in its U.S. supply chain in recent years, including capacity for non-alcoholic beer and spirits production.
ABI executives said the company intends to continue prioritizing a smaller number of brands and platforms while using data, artificial intelligence and its distribution ecosystem to support long-term growth.
About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD)Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is a global brewing and beverage company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. The company produces, markets and distributes beer and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages through a broad portfolio of international, regional and local brands.
Its leading brands include Budweiser, Bud Light, Corona, Stella Artois, Michelob ULTRA, Beck's, Hoegaarden and Leffe. AB InBev also offers a range of craft, premium, flavored and alcohol-free beverages, serving consumers through retail, hospitality and e-commerce channels.
The company was formed in 2008 through the combination of InBev and Anheuser-Busch, bringing together Anheuser-Busch's U.S.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Should You Invest $1,000 in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Right Now?Before you consider Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV wasn't on the list.
While Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
The AI wave will soon hit public markets with Anthropic and OpenAI set to go public later this year. However, you don't have to wait to invest. This report shows seven AI stocks that you can buy today while the big model providers get ready to go public.
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Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI.BR) will sell smaller pack sizes, beers with added protein or electrolytes and push further into drinks beyond beer, executives said on Tuesday, as the top brewer looks to grow amid shifting drinking habits, strained incomes and a trend towards health and wellness.
The world's largest brewer by market value will look to drive higher beer consumption and grow revenue from non-beer products like canned cocktails and energy drinks, executives told investors at a capital markets event.
Brewers including AB InBev, which makes labels like Corona and Stella Artois, have been battling to grow beer volumes and revive weak demand in some large markets like the United States as some consumers cut back, prompted by pressure on their wallets or changing tastes.
AB InBev Chief Marketing Officer Marcel Marcondes said one aim was to grow consumption among infrequent beer drinkers, with budget-conscious consumers in this category presenting the most significant opportunity.
"Data is showing us huge opportunities to make beer more affordable, especially in developing markets," he said, adding AB InBev will address this by increasing both smaller pack sizes and larger ones offering higher quantities for less.
Increasing non-alcoholic beer consumption during casual meals presented another major opportunity, he said, adding AB InBev would drive that via zero-alcohol beers with different flavours, low calories and even protein or electrolytes. The company has launched a version of its Spaten beer with added protein in Brazil.
In the US especially, AB InBev has also been pushing into categories other than beer, including with top-selling canned cocktail label Cutwater and some energy drinks. Executives said it would expand further in these areas, with energy drinks alone potentially adding $25 billion to AB InBev's addressable market.
"In this space, we are the challengers, which gives us huge headroom for growth," CEO Michel Doukeris said.
LEADING AMERICAN MANUFACTURER CONTINUES TO DELIVER ON $600 MILLION COMMITMENT, FUELING PRODUCTION OF MICHELOB ULTRA, THE #1 TOP-SELLING & FASTEST GROWING BEER IN THE U.S.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Anheuser-Busch [NYSE: BUD], a leading American manufacturer and maker of Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Cutwater Spirits and NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, announced a $23 million investment in its Fort Collins, Colorado facility. This investment will help Anheuser-Busch, the #1 fastest-growing supplier in total alcohol,1 fuel increased production of Michelob ULTRA and expand local manufacturing skills training.
Fort Collins Brewery Today's announcement is part of Anheuser-Busch's ongoing Brewing Futures initiative through which the company is investing $600 million in its U.S. operations across 2025 and 2026. The initiative builds on Anheuser-Busch's commitment to investing in people, breweries and communities by creating and sustaining manufacturing jobs, building the manufacturing workforce for the future, and strengthening manufacturing career opportunities for Veterans.
Brendan Whitworth, CEO, Anheuser-Busch said: "Our investment in the Fort Collins Brewery strengthens our ability to brew and deliver the world-class beers consumers know and love, including Michelob ULTRA. As a proud American manufacturer, investments at this scale help fuel economic growth, create and sustain high-quality jobs, and reinforce our long-term commitment to the communities where we live and work."
This new $23 million investment in Anheuser-Busch's Fort Collins Brewery will help expand our capacity to produce fast-growing brands like Michelob ULTRA, adding capabilities to produce 25-oz cans to meet growing consumer demand. It will also increase rail capacity, strengthening transportation capabilities and route to market.
Anheuser-Busch will also open a new technical skills training center inside the Fort Collins Brewery—one of the company's 15 new centers nationwide—to upskill our operators and technicians in electrical and mechanical systems associated with brewery equipment. The company plans to upskill more than 90% of its manufacturing workforce over the next five years.
Colorado State Representative Andrew Boesenecker (D-Larimer) said: "Anheuser-Busch's $23 million investment in the Fort Collins Brewery is tremendous news for our community and our state. This facility has been a backbone of Fort Collins' economy for 38 years, providing hundreds of quality manufacturing jobs and strengthening our local tax base. This investment reaffirms Anheuser-Busch's commitment to Colorado and demonstrates confidence in our workforce and community. We look forward to continuing this strong partnership and seeing the positive impact this expansion will have on Fort Collins and the surrounding region."
Nestled in the Rockies, the Fort Collins Brewery has been an important part of the local community since 1988 and produces more than 48 brands including Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, and Bud Light. The company has invested $93 million in its Fort Collins facilities since 2021 and remains commitment to being a key economic driver in the state of Colorado. Alongside the Cartersville Brewery, the Fort Collins Brewery is one of two Anheuser-Busch breweries that produce emergency drinking water. To date, Anheuser-Busch has produced more than 100 million cans of emergency drinking water for communities impacted by disaster since 1988.
ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH
At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, we have delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation's top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.
We make the nation's most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America's #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer – Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, BeatBox, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That's who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.
PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP – Get Free Report) and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Get Free Report) are both large-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability and risk.
Dividends PepsiCo pays an annual dividend of $5.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV pays an annual dividend of $1.41 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. PepsiCo pays out 77.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV pays out 29.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. PepsiCo has increased its dividend for 54 consecutive years. PepsiCo is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.
Institutional & Insider Ownership 73.1% of PepsiCo shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 5.5% of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of PepsiCo shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 4.5% of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Risk & Volatility PepsiCo has a beta of 0.35, suggesting that its stock price is 65% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a beta of 0.59, suggesting that its stock price is 41% less volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets PepsiCo 10.78% 54.63% 10.49% Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV 14.90% 16.42% 7.47% Valuation and Earnings This table compares PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio PepsiCo $93.92 billion 1.89 $8.24 billion $7.63 17.01 Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV $59.32 billion 2.64 $6.84 billion $4.72 16.44 PepsiCo has higher revenue and earnings than Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than PepsiCo, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings for PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score PepsiCo 1 12 7 0 2.30 Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV 0 5 11 0 2.69 PepsiCo currently has a consensus price target of $157.90, indicating a potential upside of 21.70%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a consensus price target of $91.08, indicating a potential upside of 17.36%. Given PepsiCo’s higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe PepsiCo is more favorable than Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV.
Summary PepsiCo beats Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.
About PepsiCo (Get Free Report)
PepsiCo, Inc. engages in the manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of various beverages and convenient foods worldwide. The company operates through seven segments: Frito-Lay North America; Quaker Foods North America; PepsiCo Beverages North America; Latin America; Europe; Africa, Middle East and South Asia; and Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand and China Region. It provides dips, cheese-flavored snacks, and spreads, as well as corn, potato, and tortilla chips; cereals, rice, pasta, mixes and syrups, granola bars, grits, oatmeal, rice cakes, and side dishes; beverage concentrates, fountain syrups, and finished goods; ready-to-drink tea, coffee, and juices; dairy products; and sparkling water makers and related products, as well as distributes alcoholic beverages under Hard MTN Dew brand. The company offers its products primarily under the Lay’s, Doritos, Fritos, Tostitos, BaiCaoWei, Cheetos, Cap’n Crunch, Life, Pearl Milling Company, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, Rice-A-Roni, Aquafina, Bubly, Emperador, Diet Mountain Dew, Diet Pepsi, Gatorade Zero, Crush, Propel, Dr Pepper, Schweppes, Marias Gamesa, Ruffles, Sabritas, Saladitas, Tostitos, 7UP, Diet 7UP, H2oh!, Manzanita Sol, Mirinda, Pepsi Black, Pepsi Max, San Carlos, Toddy, Walkers, Chipsy, Kurkure, Sasko, Spekko, White Star, Smith’s, Sting, SodaStream, Lubimyj Sad, Agusha, Chudo, Domik v Derevne, Lipton, and other brands. It serves wholesale and other distributors, foodservice customers, grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, discount/dollar stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, hard discounters, e-commerce retailers and authorized independent bottlers, and others through a network of direct-store-delivery, customer warehouse, and distributor networks, as well as directly to consumers through e-commerce platforms and retailers. The company was founded in 1898 and is based in Purchase, New York.
(Get Free Report)
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. The company operates in North America, Middle America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company was founded in 1366 and is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium.
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LEADING AMERICAN MANUFACTURER CONTINUES TO DELIVER ON $600 MILLION COMMITMENT, FUELING INCREASED PRODUCTION OF MICHELOB ULTRA AND CUTWATER
, /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Anheuser-Busch [NYSE: BUD], a leading American manufacturer and maker of Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Cutwater Spirits and NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, announced a $21 million investment in its Los Angeles and Mira Loma, California facilities. This investment will help Anheuser-Busch, the #1 fastest-growing supplier in total alcohol,1 fuel increased production of Michelob ULTRA and Cutwater and expand local manufacturing skills training.
Today's announcement is part of Anheuser-Busch's ongoing Brewing Futures initiative through which the company is investing $600 million in its U.S. operations across 2025 and 2026. The initiative builds on Anheuser-Busch's commitment to investing in people, breweries and communities by creating and sustaining manufacturing jobs, building the manufacturing workforce for the future, and strengthening manufacturing career opportunities for Veterans.
Brendan Whitworth, CEO, Anheuser-Busch said: "Anheuser-Busch is committed to supporting the communities where our employees live and work. Investments in facilities like Los Angeles and Mira Loma help us strengthen our operations while creating and sustaining jobs and continuing to drive economic growth throughout California. We're proud to continue investing in American manufacturing and in the hardworking Californians who help to produce America's most iconic beer and spirits brands every day."
This new $21 million investment in Anheuser-Busch's Southern California facilities help fuel production of Michelob ULTRA, the #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer in America,2 while upgrading canning and bottling operations. It will also enhance production of Cutwater, the #1 spirits-based cocktail brand in the U.S.3, and Phorm Energy, a top 15 brand in total energy.4 Additionally, the investment will increase rail capacity, strengthening transportation capabilities and route to market.
Anheuser-Busch will also open a new technical skills training center inside the Los Angeles Brewery—one of 15 new centers nationwide—to upskill our operators and technicians in electrical and mechanical systems associated with brewery equipment. The company plans to upskill more than 90% of its manufacturing workforce across the U.S. over the next five years.
U.S. Representative Luz Rivas (CA-29) said: "Anheuser-Busch's investment in its Los Angeles brewery in Van Nuys demonstrates the company's longtime commitment to the San Fernando Valley and the greater LA area. Its upgraded operations, along with the new skills training, will help create and sustain jobs right here in Southern California. I'm grateful for Anheuser-Busch's continued investment in our workforce and our economy."
California State Senator Caroline Menjivar (D–San Fernando Valley) said: "Since 1954, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Van Nuys, has been a vital employer in Senate District 20. This additional $21 million investment shows Anheuser-Busch's continued commitment to its local operations building economic prosperity in Van Nuys and building California's manufacturing future. By coupling facility improvements with expanded technical skills training, Anheuser-Busch is creating real opportunities for Californians to advance into steady manufacturing careers. Anheuser-Busch's continued investment in their workers plays a part in strengthening the future of American manufacturing, right here in Southern California."
California State Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) said: "I applaud Anheuser-Busch's commitment to continued investment in California and the San Fernando Valley. This $21 million investment will strengthen California's manufacturing sector, create pathways to long-term careers, support workers, and benefit our local economy."
Anheuser-Busch has proudly called Los Angeles home for over 70 years, investing $184 million in its Los Angeles and Mira Loma facilities since 2021, and remains committed to being a key economic driver on the West Coast. Hundreds of Californians are employed at these facilities, producing more than 50 Anheuser-Busch brands at the Los Angeles Brewery.
ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH
At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, we have delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation's top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.
We make the nation's most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America's #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer – Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, BeatBox, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That's who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.
1 Circana TUS MULC+ w/e 7/19/26
2 Circana TUS MULC+ Volume Sales w/e 7/19/26
3 Circana, $ Sales, YTD 07.19.26, TUS HB GEO
4 Circana Total US – MULC YTD Thru 8/30/2026
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/anheuser-busch-invests-21-million-in-los-angeles-ca-facilities-expands-local-manufacturing-skills-training-302882153.html
LEADING AMERICAN MANUFACTURER CONTINUES TO DELIVER ON $600 MILLION COMMITMENT, FUELING INCREASED PRODUCTION OF MICHELOB ULTRA AND CUTWATER
, /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Anheuser-Busch [NYSE: BUD], a leading American manufacturer and maker of Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Cutwater Spirits and NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, announced a $21 million investment in its Los Angeles and Mira Loma, California facilities. This investment will help Anheuser-Busch, the #1 fastest-growing supplier in total alcohol,1 fuel increased production of Michelob ULTRA and Cutwater and expand local manufacturing skills training.
Los Angeles Brewery Today's announcement is part of Anheuser-Busch's ongoing Brewing Futures initiative through which the company is investing $600 million in its U.S. operations across 2025 and 2026. The initiative builds on Anheuser-Busch's commitment to investing in people, breweries and communities by creating and sustaining manufacturing jobs, building the manufacturing workforce for the future, and strengthening manufacturing career opportunities for Veterans.
Brendan Whitworth, CEO, Anheuser-Busch said: "Anheuser-Busch is committed to supporting the communities where our employees live and work. Investments in facilities like Los Angeles and Mira Loma help us strengthen our operations while creating and sustaining jobs and continuing to drive economic growth throughout California. We're proud to continue investing in American manufacturing and in the hardworking Californians who help to produce America's most iconic beer and spirits brands every day."
This new $21 million investment in Anheuser-Busch's Southern California facilities help fuel production of Michelob ULTRA, the #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer in America,2 while upgrading canning and bottling operations. It will also enhance production of Cutwater, the #1 spirits-based cocktail brand in the U.S.3, and Phorm Energy, a top 15 brand in total energy.4 Additionally, the investment will increase rail capacity, strengthening transportation capabilities and route to market.
Anheuser-Busch will also open a new technical skills training center inside the Los Angeles Brewery—one of 15 new centers nationwide—to upskill our operators and technicians in electrical and mechanical systems associated with brewery equipment. The company plans to upskill more than 90% of its manufacturing workforce across the U.S. over the next five years.
U.S. Representative Luz Rivas (CA-29) said: "Anheuser-Busch's investment in its Los Angeles brewery in Van Nuys demonstrates the company's longtime commitment to the San Fernando Valley and the greater LA area. Its upgraded operations, along with the new skills training, will help create and sustain jobs right here in Southern California. I'm grateful for Anheuser-Busch's continued investment in our workforce and our economy."
California State Senator Caroline Menjivar (D–San Fernando Valley) said: "Since 1954, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Van Nuys, has been a vital employer in Senate District 20. This additional $21 million investment shows Anheuser-Busch's continued commitment to its local operations building economic prosperity in Van Nuys and building California's manufacturing future. By coupling facility improvements with expanded technical skills training, Anheuser-Busch is creating real opportunities for Californians to advance into steady manufacturing careers. Anheuser-Busch's continued investment in their workers plays a part in strengthening the future of American manufacturing, right here in Southern California."
California State Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) said: "I applaud Anheuser-Busch's commitment to continued investment in California and the San Fernando Valley. This $21 million investment will strengthen California's manufacturing sector, create pathways to long-term careers, support workers, and benefit our local economy."
Anheuser-Busch has proudly called Los Angeles home for over 70 years, investing $184 million in its Los Angeles and Mira Loma facilities since 2021, and remains committed to being a key economic driver on the West Coast. Hundreds of Californians are employed at these facilities, producing more than 50 Anheuser-Busch brands at the Los Angeles Brewery.
ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH
At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, we have delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation's top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.
We make the nation's most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America's #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer – Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, BeatBox, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That's who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.
1 Circana TUS MULC+ w/e 7/19/26
2 Circana TUS MULC+ Volume Sales w/e 7/19/26
3 Circana, $ Sales, YTD 07.19.26, TUS HB GEO
4 Circana Total US – MULC YTD Thru 8/30/2026
One-of-a-kind promotion will send winners to Transylvania for an exclusive Halloween party at the legendary Bran Castle, headlined by renowned international DJs
, /PRNewswire/ -- This Halloween, Flying Fish is daring fans to go where no beer brand has taken them before: Dracula's Castle. Now open for entries, the "Do You Dare to Party at Dracula's Castle?" promotion offers consumers the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Romania, culminating in an exclusive, invite-only Halloween bash featuring world-class DJs at Bran Castle in Transylvania on November 7.
Flying Fish - Dracula's Castle Flying Fish, the premium flavored beer known for the combination of fresh lemon for refreshment, continues to expand globally alongside the emerging beyond beer category. Building on that momentum, the brand is bringing its spirit of unexpected fun to Halloween – an occasion increasing in popularity globally – through one global promotion spanning six countries: South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Belgium, Peru and Canada.
From neighborhood costume parties and haunted houses to local traditions, Halloween may be celebrated differently around the world, but the fascination with the spooky season crosses all borders. And few legends are as universally synonymous with Halloween as The Prince of Darkness himself, Dracula, a cultural icon whose story has captivated generations around the world.
With "Do You Dare to Party at Dracula's Castle?," Flying Fish is bringing consumers directly into the heart of that legend. The campaign culminates on November 7, when Bran Castle will be transformed for a night of immersive entertainment, elaborate storytelling, costumes and unexpected surprises. International DJs Sickick, Dubdogz, Miro, and more musical talent will headline the celebration, alongside special guest appearances yet to be announced.
"Halloween hasn't always been a traditional beer occasion, and that's exactly what makes it such a natural fit for Flying Fish - a brand built around the unexpected," said Bruno Cosentino, President of Balanced Choices & Beyond Co. at AB InBev. "As Flying Fish continues its growth globally, bold experiences like celebrating Halloween inside Dracula's Castle help us further introduce the brand to new legal drinking age consumers, who enjoy celebrating culturally relevant occasions."
Created in collaboration with Wieden+Kennedy Mexico and U.K. experiential agency, We Are Collider, the campaign comes to life throughout September and October through paid social, digital OOH, creator content, limited-edition packs, retail activations and digital experiences. Four winners from each participating market will earn an all-inclusive trip to Romania and access to the November 7 celebration, with entries open through October 20, 2026.
"When you think about Halloween, Dracula is one of those rare characters that transcends generations, borders and cultures, so we wanted to take people directly into the heart of that legend," said Jessica Apellaniz, Chief Creative Officer, Wieden+Kennedy Mexico. "Flying Fish gave us permission to turn something familiar completely on its head. Instead of creating another Halloween campaign people simply watch from afar, we're inviting them to step inside the story and experience a night they could never have expected."
For more information about Flying Fish and details on how to enter for a chance to party at Dracula's Castle, visit www.flyingfishbeer.com. Consumers must be of legal drinking age in their market to participate; full terms and conditions apply.
About AB InBev
Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with secondary listings on the Mexico (MEXBOL: ANB) and South Africa (JSE: ANH) stock exchanges and with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). As a company, we dream big to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, move our industry forward and make a meaningful impact in the world. We are committed to building great brands that stand the test of time and to brewing the best beers using the finest ingredients. Beer is the drink for moderation, and for over a century, AB InBev has championed responsible drinking. We are committed to providing our consumers with balanced choices to enjoy on any occasion. We also invest in marketing that aims to reinforce positive behaviors, and we work with communities, customers, and partners to promote responsible consumption through evidence-based initiatives. Our diverse portfolio of well over 400 beer brands includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona®, Stella Artois® and Michelob Ultra®; multi-country brands Beck's®, Hoegaarden® and Leffe®; and local champions such as Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Modelo Especial®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin®, and Skol®. Our brewing heritage dates back more than 600 years, spanning continents and generations. From our European roots at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium. To the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery in St. Louis, US. To the creation of the Castle Brewery in South Africa during the Johannesburg gold rush. To Bohemia, the first brewery in Brazil. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, we leverage the collective strengths of approximately 137 000 colleagues based in more than 40 countries worldwide. For 2025, AB InBev's reported revenue was 59.3 billion USD (excluding JVs and associates).
AB InBev Media Relations
E-mail: [email protected]
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Stock to Watch: Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev, alias AB InBev, is a global brewing company with more than 500 iconic brands. The company’s leading position in majority of its markets and a strong global footprint lends the advantage of economies of scale and growing its multi-country brands globally. Its strategy is based on efforts to develop a portfolio of brands that cater to extensive consumer needs within the market, in terms of price range, flavor profiles, and brand meaning.
BUD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 18.03; value investors should take notice.
Six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.06 to $4.38 per share. BUD boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, BUD should be on investors' short list.
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What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.8% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev, alias AB InBev, is a global brewing company with more than 500 iconic brands. The company’s leading position in majority of its markets and a strong global footprint lends the advantage of economies of scale and growing its multi-country brands globally. Its strategy is based on efforts to develop a portfolio of brands that cater to extensive consumer needs within the market, in terms of price range, flavor profiles, and brand meaning.
BUD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. BUD has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 17.7% for the current fiscal year.
For fiscal 2026, six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.06 to $4.39 per share. BUD boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, BUD should be on investors' short list.
Key Takeaways AB InBev is investing in megabrands like Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois and Michelob Ultra.Premium, no-alcohol and Beyond Beer offerings are expanding to meet evolving consumer preferences.BEES Marketplace GMV rose 50% to $1.2 billion, strengthening BUD's digital distribution ecosystem. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD - Free Report) , also known as AB InBev, is pursuing growth through a combination of premiumization, investment in its megabrands, category expansion, innovation and digitalization. The company continues to increase investment in leading brands such as Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois and Michelob Ultra, supported by marketing campaigns, sponsorships and consumer activations aimed at strengthening brand equity and driving international growth. Sales and marketing investment reached $4.1 billion in the first half of 2026, underscoring BUD’s commitment to supporting long-term brand growth.
The company is expanding its above-core and premium beer portfolio, particularly through Corona and Stella Artois. In the second quarter of 2026, the above-core portfolio generated 6.9% revenue growth, with these three brands delivering strong international growth. The company is expanding its Balanced Choices portfolio, including low-carb, low-calorie and no-alcohol offerings. Its no-alcohol beer portfolio continued to post strong growth in the second quarter.
With a growing focus on premium, higher-margin products and innovative offerings such as zero-sugar and no-alcohol beer, AB InBev is responding to evolving consumer preferences while supporting growth across key markets. The company is also expanding its Beyond Beer portfolio and accelerating digital transformation, with platforms such as BEES and Zé Delivery strengthening its connections with retailers and consumers. BUD’s B2B and direct-to-consumer ecosystems are becoming increasingly important growth engines, helping it better connect with retailers and consumers.
AB InBev has consistently invested in strengthening its brand portfolio while rapidly expanding its digital ecosystem through platforms such as BEES and Zé Delivery. Through BEES Marketplace, the company is digitizing its relationships with retailers, improving distribution efficiency and creating additional monetization opportunities. BEES Marketplace GMV grew 50% year over year to $1.2 billion in the second quarter, while total BEES GMV reached $15 billion, highlighting the growing scale of BUD’s digital platform.
In a nutshell, BUD is focused on driving growth by premiumizing its portfolio, expanding its presence in high-growth no-alcohol and Beyond Beer categories, and leveraging its global megabrands and digital distribution platform to broaden consumer reach and strengthen market penetration.
BUD’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesAB InBev’s shares have gained 0.7% in the past six months compared with the industry’s 1.1% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BUD trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.77X compared with the industry’s average of 15.15X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BUD’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) indicates year-over-year growth of 17.7% and 12%, respectively. The company’s EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved upward in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AB InBev currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Stocks to Consider in the Consumer Staples Space The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) , which is a distributor of specialty food products in the United States, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chefs' Warehouse's current financial-year sales indicates growth of 10.6% from the prior-year level. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.
Darling Ingredients (DAR - Free Report) , which is a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients derived from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Darling Ingredients’ current financial-year sales is expected to rise 11.5% from the year-ago reported figure. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 38.9%, on average.
Medifast, Inc. (MED - Free Report) , which is a leading manufacturer and distributor of clinically-proven healthy living products and programs, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. MED delivered an average earnings surprise of 58.2% in the last reported quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Medifast’s current financial-year sales indicates a decline of 25.9% from the year-ago number.
LEADING AMERICAN MANUFACTURER CONTINUES TO DELIVER ON $600 MILLION COMMITMENT, FUELING PRODUCTION OF MICHELOB ULTRA AND ADDING CUTWATER PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES
, /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD), a leading American manufacturer and maker of Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Cutwater Spirits and NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, announced a $13 million investment in its Baldwinsville, New York facility. This investment will help Anheuser-Busch, the #1 fastest-growing supplier in total alcohol,1 meet growing consumer demand for Michelob ULTRA and Cutwater, the top 2 fastest-growing alcohol brands in the country,2 and expand local manufacturing skills training.
Baldwinsville Brewery This latest investment is part of Anheuser-Busch's ongoing Brewing Futures initiative through which the company is investing $600 million in its U.S. operations across 2025 and 2026. The initiative builds on Anheuser-Busch's commitment to investing in people, breweries and communities by creating and sustaining manufacturing jobs, building the manufacturing workforce for the future, and strengthening manufacturing career opportunities for veterans.
Brendan Whitworth, CEO, Anheuser-Busch said: "Anheuser-Busch is committed to supporting the communities where our employees live and work. Investments in facilities like our Baldwinsville Brewery help us strengthen our operations while creating and sustaining jobs and continuing to drive economic growth throughout Central New York State. We're proud to continue investing in American manufacturing and in the hardworking New Yorkers who help to produce America's most iconic beer and spirits brands every day."
This new $13 million investment in Anheuser-Busch's Baldwinsville Brewery will help increase production of Michelob ULTRA, the #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer in America,3 as well as upgrade can and bottle lines. It will also add new production capabilities for Cutwater to help meet rapidly growing demand for the #1 spirits-based cocktail brand in the U.S.4
As part of this investment, Anheuser-Busch will also open a new technical skills training center inside the Baldwinsville Brewery, one of 15 that the company is opening nationwide, to upskill employees across mechanical, electrical, digital, and operational areas. This new center builds on the Baldwinsville Brewery's already strong technical skills training programs. This year, the Brewery is celebrating the first two graduates from its Maintenance Technician Development Program—developed in partnership with New York State, The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) and the Teamsters—who went through hands-on training to advance from packaging operators to electricians.
Governor Kathy Hochul said: "New York has a proud manufacturing heritage that continues to fuel economic opportunity across the state. Anheuser-Busch's latest investment in its Baldwinsville Brewery, alongside the apprenticeship opportunities developed in partnership with Anheuser-Busch, New York State, MACNY, and the Teamsters, helps to create new pathways to long-term careers right here in New York and a bright future for the Central New York region."
Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) said: "Anheuser-Busch's $13 million investment in its Baldwinsville Brewery will expand local production while creating new opportunities for workers to build their skills and advance into good-paying manufacturing careers. The new technical training center, combined with the company's successful partnership with New York State, MACNY, and the Teamsters, is exactly the kind of workforce development I've consistently championed because it's a proven model that benefits workers, businesses, and our entire regional economy. I commend Anheuser-Busch for continuing to invest in its Baldwinsville workforce and the future of American manufacturing."
Anheuser-Busch has proudly called New York State home for over 40 years, investing more than $100 million in its Baldwinsville Brewery since 2021, and remains committed to being a key economic driver in New York State. The Baldwinsville Brewery serves as a hub of innovation, and the hundreds of New Yorkers employed at this facility produce more than 50 Anheuser-Busch brands.
ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH
At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, we have delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation's top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.
We make the nation's most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America's #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer – Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, BeatBox, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That's who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.
Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Anheuser-Busch Inbev basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.
Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Anheuser-Busch Inbev imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsEmpirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Earnings Estimate Revisions for Anheuser-Busch InbevFor the fiscal year ending December 2026, this brewer is expected to earn $4.39 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Anheuser-Busch Inbev. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 2.4%.
Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>
The upgrade of Anheuser-Busch Inbev to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Get Free Report) and Coca-Cola Consolidated (NASDAQ:COKE – Get Free Report) are both large-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations and dividends.
Volatility and Risk Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a beta of 0.6, meaning that its stock price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Coca-Cola Consolidated has a beta of 0.55, meaning that its stock price is 45% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Coca-Cola Consolidated, as provided by MarketBeat.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV 0 6 11 0 2.65 Coca-Cola Consolidated 0 0 1 0 3.00 Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV presently has a consensus price target of $91.08, indicating a potential upside of 14.22%. Given Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is more favorable than Coca-Cola Consolidated.
Institutional & Insider Ownership 5.5% of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 48.2% of Coca-Cola Consolidated shares are held by institutional investors. 4.5% of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Coca-Cola Consolidated shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Dividends Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV pays an annual dividend of $1.41 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Coca-Cola Consolidated pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV pays out 29.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Coca-Cola Consolidated pays out 13.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Coca-Cola Consolidated has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years.
Valuation and Earnings This table compares Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Coca-Cola Consolidated”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV $59.32 billion 2.71 $6.84 billion $4.72 16.89 Coca-Cola Consolidated $7.69 billion 1.64 $570.58 million $7.54 25.08 Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has higher revenue and earnings than Coca-Cola Consolidated. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Coca-Cola Consolidated, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability This table compares Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Coca-Cola Consolidated’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV 14.90% 16.42% 7.47% Coca-Cola Consolidated 7.15% -1,041.59% 13.71% Summary Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV beats Coca-Cola Consolidated on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (Get Free Report)
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. The company operates in North America, Middle America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company was founded in 1366 and is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium.
About Coca-Cola Consolidated (Get Free Report)
Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and distributes nonalcoholic beverages primarily products of The Coca-Cola Company in the United States. The company offers sparkling beverages; and still beverages, including energy products, as well as noncarbonated beverages comprising bottled water, ready to drink coffee and tea, enhanced water, juices, and sports drinks. It also sells its products to other Coca-Cola bottlers; and post-mix products that are dispensed through equipment, which mixes the fountain syrups with carbonated or still water enabling fountain retailers to sell finished products to consumers in cups or glasses. In addition, the company manufactures and distributes various other beverage brands that include Dr Pepper and Monster Energy. It sells and distributes its products directly to grocery stores, mass merchandise stores, club stores, convenience stores, and drug stores; and restaurants, schools, amusement parks, and recreational facilities, as well as through vending machine outlets. The company was formerly known as Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated and changed its name to Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. in January 2019. Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Key Takeaways BUD's Q2 beer volumes rose 1.1%, while total volumes increased 0.9% amid global market share gains.Michelob Ultra expanded across the Americas, with 40% of Q2 volume growth coming from outside the U.S.BUD's non-alcoholic beer revenues climbed 27%, led by Corona Cero and Michelob Ultra Zero.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD - Free Report) , popularly known as AB InBev, delivered encouraging volume performance in the second quarter of 2026, signaling improving momentum across its global business. The company benefited from market share gains, continued investment in its megabrands and growth across emerging markets. Management believes its more diversified portfolio, spanning core and premium beer, non-alcoholic offerings and Beyond Beer, has positioned BUD to capture demand across more consumer occasions.
Beer volumes increased 1.1% year over year in the second quarter, while total volumes rose 0.9%. Revenues advanced 5.6%, supported by 4.2% growth in revenue per hectoliter, reflecting positive mix and revenue management initiatives. BUD also reported market share gains globally, with record second-quarter volumes in markets including Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador.
Several growth initiatives could help sustain the volume recovery. Michelob Ultra is expanding across the Americas, with 40% of the brand's second-quarter volume growth coming from outside the United States. Meanwhile, non-alcoholic beer revenues climbed 27%, led by Corona Cero and Michelob Ultra Zero. BUD is also expanding its Beyond Beer portfolio, giving the company additional avenues to attract consumers and increase participation across growing beverage segments.
Still, the recovery remains uneven across markets. China continues to be a notable pressure point, with revenues declining 8.8% amid adverse weather, a constrained consumer environment and weakness in the on-premise channel. BUD is investing in its brands, innovation and off-trade execution to improve performance there. With stronger volume trends elsewhere and management shifting its focus from resetting the business toward accelerating its growth levers, sustained execution across key markets will be crucial to determining whether the recent volume improvement develops into a broader recovery.
BUD’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesAB InBev’s shares have lost 0.2% in the past six months compared with the industry’s 3.1% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BUD trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.07X compared with the industry’s average of 15.13X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BUD’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) indicates year-over-year growth of 17.2% and 12.3%, respectively. The company’s EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved upward in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AB InBev currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Stocks to ConsiderDarling Ingredients Inc. (DAR - Free Report) , which is a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Darling Ingredients' current financial-year sales indicates growth of 12.7% from the prior-year level. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 38.9%, on average.
The Coca-Cola Company (KO - Free Report) is a leading beverage company with a portfolio of 32 billion-dollar brands spanning sparkling beverages, water, sports drinks, dairy and value-added beverages. KO currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Coca-Cola’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 4.03% and 9.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. Coca-Cola delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.6%, on average.
Primo Brands Corporation (PRMB - Free Report) is a leading North American branded beverage company focused on healthy hydration. It currently has a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Primo Brands’ current fiscal-year sales indicates growth of 2.5% from the prior year’s reported levels. PRMB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 7.7%, on average.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev, alias AB InBev, is a global brewing company with more than 500 iconic brands. The company’s leading position in majority of its markets and a strong global footprint lends the advantage of economies of scale and growing its multi-country brands globally. Its strategy is based on efforts to develop a portfolio of brands that cater to extensive consumer needs within the market, in terms of price range, flavor profiles, and brand meaning.
BUD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 18.29; value investors should take notice.
For fiscal 2026, seven analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.07 to $4.39 per share. BUD boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, BUD should be on investors' short list.
Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.
That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.
However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.
Our proprietary system currently recommends Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.
Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.
Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this brewer a great growth pick right now.
Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.
While the historical EPS growth rate for Anheuser-Busch Inbev is 6.7%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 17.1% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 2.8%.
Cash Flow GrowthCash is the lifeblood of any business, but higher-than-average cash flow growth is more beneficial and important for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, high cash accumulation enables these companies to undertake new projects without raising expensive outside funds.
Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for Anheuser-Busch Inbev is 3.6%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of -1.7%.
While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 8.6% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 2%.
Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
The current-year earnings estimates for Anheuser-Busch Inbev have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 1.2% over the past month.
Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made Anheuser-Busch Inbev a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
This combination indicates that Anheuser-Busch Inbev is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.
For those looking to find strong Consumer Staples stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Is Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Consumer Staples sector should help us answer this question.
Anheuser-Busch Inbev is a member of the Consumer Staples sector. This group includes 185 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #16. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.
The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Anheuser-Busch Inbev is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for BUD's full-year earnings has moved 2% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.
Our latest available data shows that BUD has returned about 25.9% since the start of the calendar year. At the same time, Consumer Staples stocks have gained an average of 7%. This shows that Anheuser-Busch Inbev is outperforming its peers so far this year.
Another stock in the Consumer Staples sector, Vita Coco Company, Inc. (COCO - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 21.6%.
The consensus estimate for Vita Coco Company, Inc.'s current year EPS has increased 11.3% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Looking more specifically, Anheuser-Busch Inbev belongs to the Beverages - Alcohol industry, which includes 17 individual stocks and currently sits at #188 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 17% so far this year, so BUD is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns.
On the other hand, Vita Coco Company, Inc. belongs to the Beverages - Soft drinks industry. This 20-stock industry is currently ranked #79. The industry has moved +8.7% year to date.
Anheuser-Busch Inbev and Vita Coco Company, Inc. could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Consumer Staples stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.
Cetera Investment Advisers trimmed its holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Free Report) by 20.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 40,854 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock after selling 10,673 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers’ holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV were worth $2,834,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of BUD. Bogart Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 3,800.0% in the fourth quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 390 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 380 shares during the period. Birchwood Financial Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 79.1% in the 4th quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 498 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares during the period. Finally, First Horizon Corp grew its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 84.6% during the 1st quarter. First Horizon Corp now owns 502 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 5.53% of the company’s stock.
Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently weighed in on BUD. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $86.50 to $84.50 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Barclays restated an “equal weight” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research note on Monday, July 27th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. Weiss Ratings lowered Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, DZ Bank restated a “buy” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $91.08.
View Our Latest Stock Report on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Trading Down 0.1% Shares of BUD opened at $83.91 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $169.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.78, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.60. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $81.70 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $77.51. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a twelve month low of $57.79 and a twelve month high of $86.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The consumer goods maker reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.09 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $16.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.23 billion. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 14.90% and a return on equity of 16.42%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.98 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 4.36 EPS for the current year.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Profile (Free Report)
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE: BUD) is a multinational brewing company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. It is one of the world’s largest brewers and is primarily engaged in the production, distribution and marketing of beer and related beverages. The company’s operations span brewing, packaging, logistics and retail/customer sales support, serving a broad set of channels from on-premise hospitality to retail and e-commerce.
AB InBev’s portfolio includes a mix of global, regional and local beer brands across mainstream, premium, craft and non-alcoholic categories.
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Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Free Report) by 15.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 67,750 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock after purchasing an additional 9,305 shares during the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp’s holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV were worth $4,700,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 11,380,404 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $728,801,000 after buying an additional 368,721 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 29.8% in the fourth quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 4,205,767 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $269,337,000 after acquiring an additional 966,378 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,009,863 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $256,792,000 after purchasing an additional 42,009 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 12.8% in the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,770,946 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $224,786,000 after purchasing an additional 426,495 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GQG Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the 4th quarter valued at $149,778,000. Institutional investors own 5.53% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In BUD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $93.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. DZ Bank reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $86.50 to $84.50 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $91.08.
Read Our Latest Analysis on BUD
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Performance Shares of BUD opened at $85.26 on Thursday. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 12-month low of $57.79 and a 12-month high of $86.60. The company has a market cap of $172.17 billion, a PE ratio of 18.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $81.58 and a 200-day moving average price of $77.35.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The consumer goods maker reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.09 by $0.12. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 14.90% and a return on equity of 16.42%. The business had revenue of $16.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.23 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.98 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 4.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Profile (Free Report)
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE: BUD) is a multinational brewing company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. It is one of the world’s largest brewers and is primarily engaged in the production, distribution and marketing of beer and related beverages. The company’s operations span brewing, packaging, logistics and retail/customer sales support, serving a broad set of channels from on-premise hospitality to retail and e-commerce.
AB InBev’s portfolio includes a mix of global, regional and local beer brands across mainstream, premium, craft and non-alcoholic categories.
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Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev, alias AB InBev, is a global brewing company with more than 500 iconic brands. The company’s leading position in majority of its markets and a strong global footprint lends the advantage of economies of scale and growing its multi-country brands globally. Its strategy is based on efforts to develop a portfolio of brands that cater to extensive consumer needs within the market, in terms of price range, flavor profiles, and brand meaning.
BUD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. BUD has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 16.6% for the current fiscal year.
Four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.03 to $4.35 per share. BUD also boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, BUD should be on investors' short list.
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev, alias AB InBev, is a global brewing company with more than 500 iconic brands. The company’s leading position in majority of its markets and a strong global footprint lends the advantage of economies of scale and growing its multi-country brands globally. Its strategy is based on efforts to develop a portfolio of brands that cater to extensive consumer needs within the market, in terms of price range, flavor profiles, and brand meaning.
BUD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Momentum investors should take note of this Consumer Staples stock. BUD has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 5.9% over the past four weeks.
For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.03 to $4.35 per share. BUD boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, BUD should be on investors' short list.
Anheuser-Busch InBev's shareholder E.P.S. SA, a holding company representing some of the firm's shareholders, is selling about 10 million shares in the Belgian brewer, according JPMorgan Securities, the bookrunner of the placement.
SummaryAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's ADR has delivered solid gains in recent years, supported by fundamental aspects such as EBITDA growth, de-leveraging, and multiple expansion.Despite the ADR's recent success, its historical return distribution is clustered and not smooth.I think we might be looking at a cluster as opposed to structural growth.I support the quant observation with reference to macro variables, broader financial market multiple expansion, and risk appetite from investors.Tail risk metrics show that the downside can be severe. As such, I'm avoiding this stock in the trend and shall only reconsider in the event of a pullback. pjohnson1/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD)(BUDFF) is discussed in today's analysis. I previously covered the stock in October 2022, when I communicated a neutral outlook, arguing that the company's shareholder value creation had lacked substance. I revisit
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The World Cup Is Coming—These 3 Stocks Could Cash InAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV NYSE: BUD reported higher second-quarter revenue, earnings and free cash flow as beer volumes returned to growth and the brewer gained market share globally, while management said conditions remained challenging in China.
Chief Executive Officer Michel Doukeris said beer volumes increased 1.1% in the second quarter, supported by record second-quarter volumes in markets including Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador. Total volumes rose 0.9%, while revenue increased 5.6% and revenue per hectoliter advanced 4.2%, driven by mix and revenue-management actions intended to offset rising inflation and input costs.
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Before the IPO: 4 Companies That Rewarded Investors Who Got In EarlyUnderlying earnings per share rose 23.4% to $1.21. First-half free cash flow increased by $2.5 billion to $3.9 billion, the company said.
Portfolio growth and regional performance Doukeris said the company’s mega brands, non-alcohol beer offerings and Beyond Beer portfolio contributed to growth. Revenue from mega brands increased 6.2%, while Corona revenue outside Mexico rose 17%. Corona posted double-digit volume gains in 37 markets, according to the company.
Anheuser-Busch Stock Jumps as Volume Growth Signals TurnaroundNon-alcohol beer revenue increased 27%, led by Corona Cero and Michelob ULTRA Zero. Management estimated that 60% of non-alcohol beer volume came from new occasions and new consumers. In the U.S., Busch Light Apple, which returned in April, became the second-largest volume share gainer in the total industry during the quarter, Doukeris said.
In North America, AB InBev said it gained share in beer and Beyond Beer. Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light and Busch Light Apple were the top three beer volume share gainers in the U.S. industry, according to management. The company’s Beyond Beer revenue grew in the mid-70% range, led by Cutwater’s triple-digit revenue growth. Doukeris said Cutwater was the top share-gaining brand in the U.S. spirits industry during the quarter.
Mexico: Revenue grew in premium, mainstream, non-alcohol beer and Beyond Beer, producing mid-single-digit revenue growth and high-single-digit bottom-line growth, with market share gains. Colombia: Record second-quarter volumes supported double-digit top- and bottom-line growth. Management estimated its portfolio gained share of total alcohol. Brazil: Beer volumes increased as the company gained market share and industry conditions improved. Premium and super-premium brands grew volume in the mid-20% range. Europe and South Africa: European volumes rose by low single digits, while South Africa posted mid-single-digit top- and bottom-line growth. South African premium and super-premium beer volumes grew in the high-20% range. China remained a weak spot. Revenue in the market declined 8.8% as AB InBev underperformed what Doukeris characterized as a soft industry affected by adverse weather and continued weakness in on-premise consumption. He said the Chinese beer industry could decline by a high-single-digit percentage in the second quarter, based on the company’s view as data is consolidated.
While AB InBev’s China volumes remained under pressure, Doukeris said its market-share trend improved sequentially. Its super-premium and core-plus brands returned to growth, and the company is investing in brand building, execution and expansion of its in-home and off-trade presence.
Digital platforms and marketplace expansion AB InBev said its digital ecosystem processed $15 billion in gross merchandise value during the second quarter, up 16% from a year earlier. The company said it has more than 25 billion annualized AI-driven touchpoints across its ecosystem.
The BEES marketplace’s gross merchandise value from third-party products increased 50% to $1.2 billion. Digital direct-to-consumer platforms served 13 million consumers and generated $165 million in revenue. The company said its growing direct-to-consumer marketplace has annualized GMV of $200 million.
During the question-and-answer session, Doukeris said the marketplace has been profitable since its inception and is incremental to EBITDA. He described it as equivalent in size to a top-20 country for the company and as one of the top 10 contributors to EBITDA growth.
Investment, cash flow and capital allocation Chief Financial Officer Fernando Tennenbaum said AB InBev invested $7.9 billion in sales and marketing over the last 12 months and increased those investments organically by 9% in the first half. Disciplined overhead management and resource allocation helped offset transactional foreign-exchange headwinds while allowing the company to maintain margins and increase commercial investments, he said.
Constant-currency EPS increased 12.9%, while translation effects helped lift dollar-denominated EPS by 23.4%. Tennenbaum attributed the first-half free-cash-flow improvement to EBITDA growth and working-capital improvements.
The company increased its dividend, repurchased shares and completed selective acquisitions, including MCC and BeatBox, while continuing to reduce leverage. Net debt to EBITDA improved 0.4 turns year over year to 2.86 times. Tennenbaum said AB InBev has no bonds maturing in 2026, a weighted-average bond maturity of 12 years and no financial covenants.
Management reaffirmed its outlook for 2026 EBITDA growth of 4% to 8%. Tennenbaum said the company continues to expect growth to be more evenly distributed between the first and second halves of the year, although sales and marketing spending is expected to be more weighted toward the second and third quarters, partly reflecting World Cup-related activity.
About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD)Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV NYSE: BUD is a multinational brewing company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. It is one of the world's largest brewers and is primarily engaged in the production, distribution and marketing of beer and related beverages. The company's operations span brewing, packaging, logistics and retail/customer sales support, serving a broad set of channels from on-premise hospitality to retail and e-commerce.
AB InBev's portfolio includes a mix of global, regional and local beer brands across mainstream, premium, craft and non-alcoholic categories.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 30, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Michel Doukeris - Chief Executive Officer
Fernando Tennenbaum - Chief Financial Officer
Conference Call Participants
Edward Mundy - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Mitchell Collett - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division
Robert Ottenstein - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
Jean-Olivier Nicolai - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Christopher Carey - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Sanjeet Aujla - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Chris Pitcher - Rothschild & Co Redburn, Research Division
Laurence Whyatt - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Robert Vos
Trevor Stirling - Bernstein Institutional Services LLC, Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Welcome to AB InBev's Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast. Hosting the call today from AB InBev are Mr. Michel Doukeris, Chief Executive Officer; and Mr. Fernando Tennenbaum, Chief Financial Officer. To access the slides accompanying today's call, please visit AB InBev's website at www.ab-inbev.com and click on the Investors tab and the Reports and Results Center page. Today's webcast will be available for on-demand playback later today. [Operator Instructions]
Some of the information provided during the conference call may contain statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements. These expectations are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. It is possible that AB InBev's actual results and financial condition may differ possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements.
For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect AB InBev's future results, see risk factors in the company's latest annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2026. AB InBev assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information provided during the conference call and shall not be liable for
Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD - Free Report) reported $16.66 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 11%. EPS of $1.21 for the same period compares to $0.98 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of +2.26% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $16.29 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.09, the EPS surprise was +11.01%.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how Anheuser-Busch Inbev performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Volume in Hectoliters - Middle America: 38,822.00 KhL versus the three-analyst average estimate of 39,102.03 KhL.Volume in Hectoliters - South America: 34,199.00 KhL compared to the 36,814.15 KhL average estimate based on three analysts.Volume in Hectoliters - EMEA: 24,172.00 KhL versus 23,999.03 KhL estimated by three analysts on average.AB InBev Worldwide - Total Volume: 143,347.00 KhL versus 144,023.50 KhL estimated by three analysts on average.Volume in Hectoliters - Global Export and Holding Companies: 62.00 KhL compared to the 74.17 KhL average estimate based on three analysts.Volume in Hectoliters - North America: 22,376.00 KhL versus 21,750.32 KhL estimated by three analysts on average.Revenue- North America: $3.84 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $3.9 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of 0%.Revenue- Middle Americas: $4.34 billion versus $4.88 billion estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a 0% change.Revenue- Global Export & Holding Companies: $144 million compared to the $159.38 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of 0% year over year.Revenue- EMEA: $2.49 billion compared to the $2.64 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of 0% year over year.Revenue- Asia Pacific: $1.66 billion compared to the $1.6 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of 0% year over year.Revenue- South America: $2.53 billion compared to the $3.12 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of 0% year over year.View all Key Company Metrics for Anheuser-Busch Inbev here>>>
Shares of Anheuser-Busch Inbev have returned +5.8% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.5% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Key Takeaways AB InBev's Q2 revenues and earnings were flat y/y and missed consensus estimates.Organic revenues rose 5.6% as premiumization, Beyond Beer and megabrands fueled growth.AB InBev reaffirmed 2026 EBITDA growth of 4-8%, as margins, cash flow and leverage improved. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD - Free Report) , aka AB InBev, reported second-quarter 2026 results, wherein earnings per share and revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both top and bottom lines were flat year over year.
BUD reported second-quarter 2026 underlying earnings of 98 cents per share, flat year over year. The figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09 by 10.1%. Revenues of $15 billion were flat year over year and missed the consensus mark of $16.29 billion by 7.9%.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 12.3% in the past three months compared with the industry’s 7.4% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BUD's Organic Growth Offsets Reported WeaknessOn an organic basis, revenues increased 5.6% in the quarter. Revenue per hectoliter rose 4.2%, reflecting disciplined revenue management and a favorable mix from premiumization and Beyond Beer products.
Total volumes increased 0.9% organically. Beer volumes rose 1.1%, while non-beer volumes declined 1.1%. The company recorded its highest-ever second-quarter volumes in Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador, while beer volumes in Brazil returned to growth.
Combined revenues from AB InBev’s megabrands increased 6.2%. Corona revenues grew 17% outside its home market, while Stella Artois and Michelob Ultra advanced 19% and 21%, respectively, outside their domestic markets.
The above-core beer portfolio generated 6.9% revenue growth. Corona delivered double-digit volume growth in 37 markets, while Michelob Ultra expanded across Latin America. About 40% of Michelob Ultra’s volume growth came from markets outside the United States.
AB InBev Expands New Growth PlatformsNo-alcohol beer revenues increased 27%, supporting growth in the company’s broader Balanced Choices portfolio. Revenues from low-carb, low-calorie, sugar-free, gluten-free and no-alcohol brands collectively rose 13%.
Beyond Beer revenues jumped 44%, led by Flying Fish and Cutwater. Cutwater posted triple-digit revenue growth and was the second-largest brand contributor to AB InBev’s overall revenue growth in the quarter.
BUD's Digital Ecosystem Gains ScaleDigitization remained a notable growth vector in the quarter. BEES was operating in 30 markets at the end of June, with 72% of revenues captured through B2B digital platforms. The platform processed $15 billion in gross merchandise value during the quarter, up 16% year over year.
BEES Marketplace gross merchandise value climbed 50% to $1.2 billion from third-party products. The company’s direct-to-consumer platforms served 13 million active consumers and generated $165 million in revenues, representing 12% growth.
AB InBev's Margins Show Operating LeverageGross profit increased 7.5% organically, while the gross margin expanded 99 basis points (bps) to 57.5%. Normalized EBIT advanced 8% to $4.60 billion, with the normalized EBIT margin improving 58 bps to 27.6%.
Normalized EBITDA rose 5.8% to $5.94 billion. The normalized EBITDA margin expanded 4 bps to 35.6%, as overhead discipline offset foreign-exchange pressures, and supported higher sales and marketing investments.
Our model had anticipated a rise of 9.5% in normalized EBIT and 7.6% in normalized EBITDA for the second quarter.
BUD Strengthens Cash Flow & LeverageThe free cash flow for the first half of 2026 increased by $2.53 billion to $3.88 billion. The cash flow from operating activities rose to $5.24 billion from $2.7 billion a year earlier, reflecting higher profit and improved working-capital movements.
Net debt totaled $64.2 billion at the end of June. The net debt-to-normalized EBITDA ratio improved to 2.86 from 3.27 a year earlier. AB InBev also completed $1.9 billion of its $6-billion share repurchase program as of July 24.
AB InBev Reaffirms Its 2026 OutlookManagement expects EBITDA growth of 4-8% in 2026, in line with its medium-term outlook. The projection reflects its current view of inflation and broader macroeconomic conditions.
The company anticipates a normalized effective tax rate of 26-28% and net capital expenditure of $3.5-$4 billion. Net pension interest and accretion expenses are projected at $190-$220 million per quarter, while the average gross debt coupon is expected to be 4%.
Three Stocks Looking GoodWe have highlighted three better-ranked stocks from the Consumer Staples sector, namely The Vita Coco Company Inc. (COCO - Free Report) , Primo Brands Corporation (PRMB - Free Report) and Fomento Economico Mexicano (FMX - Free Report) .
Vita Coco develops, markets and distributes coconut water and other beverage products, led by the Vita Coco brand. The company currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vita Coco’s current financial-year sales and earnings is expected to rise 31.6% and 64.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. COCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.9%, on average.
Fomento Economico Mexicano, alias FEMSA, is a leading Latin American beverage and retail company that operates Coca-Cola bottling businesses, OXXO convenience stores, health and beauty outlets, fuel stations, and digital financial services across multiple countries. The company currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FMX’s current financial-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 17.3% and 131% from the prior-year reported level. FMX delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 0.2%, on average.
Primo Brands is a leading North American branded beverage company focused on healthy hydration. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Primo Brands’ current financial-year sales indicates growth of 1.6% from the year-ago reported number. PRMB delivered an average earnings surprise of 1.4% in the trailing four quarters.
BRUSSELS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anheuser-Busch InBev (Brussel:ABI) (BMV:ANB) (JSE:ANH) (NYSE:BUD): Regulated information1 “Cheers to beer – our performance this quarter reflects the strength of the beer category and the consistent execution of our strategy. Through investment in our megabrands and mega platforms, innovation and offering more choices across more occasions, we are strengthening the cultural relevance of our brands with consumers. Thank you to our colleagues for their commitment and di.
Top brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev reported on Thursday forecast-beating revenue, profit and volumes in the second quarter, boosted by higher demand in markets across the Americas and from the soccer World Cup.
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The Best of Both Worlds: Healthcare's Rare Blend of Defense and AI Upside It's hard to believe that AI names can also be defensive in today's market, but that's what healthcare offers during the "great rotation." Bryan Hayes explains how investors can find quality at a reasonable price under the AI theme.
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Mag 7 Earnings Preview: Did GOOGL's Results Raise Stakes? The market reaction to Alphabet's Q2 results has significantly raised the bar for its Magnificent Seven peers that are on deck to report results this week, namely Microsoft and Meta Platforms on Wednesday, July 29th, and Apple and Amazon on Thursday, July 30th.
The market reaction to Alphabet's Q2 results has significantly raised the bar for its Magnificent Seven peers that are on deck to report results this week, namely Microsoft and Meta Platforms on Wednesday, July 29th, and Apple and Amazon on Thursday, July 30th.
How Many Stocks Should You Own? Three stocks or one hundred? Which are you? Plus 3 stocks with low PEG ratios. Tracey Ryniec sorts through the questions in the latest Zacks Value Trader podcast.
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Forget AI Chips and Mag 7: Buy AI Infrastructure Stocks Now Investors aiming to buy into the artificial intelligence boom driving the economy and Wall Street for the foreseeable future might want to consider best-in-class, AI-boosted infrastructure stocks.
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Q2 Earnings: Guidance Upgrades Push These 3 Stocks Higher Companies raising guidance, particularly on the earnings front, always deserve some level of attention from investors. Recently, JNJ, GM, and ABT have all raised their outlooks.
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Key Takeaways AB InBev is expected to post Q2 revenues of $16.3B and EPS of $1.09, both rising y/y.Premium brands, pricing and product mix are expected to have supported growth despite mixed regional volumes.China softness, currency swings, and elevated marketing and input costs may limit margin expansion. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD - Free Report) , also known as AB InBev, is slated to release second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 30, before the opening bell. The leading alcohol beverage company is likely to register year-over-year growth in its top and bottom lines when it reports quarterly numbers.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AB InBev’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $16.3 billion, indicating 8.6% growth from the year-ago quarter’s reported number. For second-quarter earnings, the consensus mark is pegged at $1.09 per share, suggesting 11.2% growth from the prior-year reported figure. The consensus mark has been unchanged in the past 30 days.
In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnings per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.8%. It has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 4.6%.
Factors Likely to Impact BUD’s Q2 ResultsAB InBev’s second-quarter 2026 results are expected to have benefited from disciplined revenue management, continued premiumization and strong brand momentum. The company’s focus on increasing revenue per hectoliter through pricing actions and a favorable product mix, supported by its portfolio of mega brands, is likely to have driven top-line growth. Sustained investments in marketing and brand building, coupled with major global events, are also expected to have strengthened consumer engagement and supported sales in the quarter.
The company’s premium and super-premium portfolio is anticipated to have remained a key growth catalyst. Strong demand for brands such as Corona and Michelob Ultra, along with continued expansion in higher-margin categories, is likely to have supported an improved price mix. The ongoing shift toward premium offerings, complemented by innovation-led product launches, may have helped sustain revenue growth despite mixed volume trends across certain regions.
AB InBev’s expanding presence in the Beyond Beer and non-alcoholic beverage categories is also likely to have contributed to second-quarter performance. These segments continue to gain traction amid evolving consumer preferences and increased demand for differentiated beverage options. Management’s efforts to scale these faster-growing categories are expected to have generated incremental revenues while strengthening the company’s long-term growth prospects.
On the cost front, productivity initiatives and an efficient operating model are expected to have supported profitability. Continued cost-saving measures and operational efficiencies may have partly offset pressures from foreign exchange volatility and elevated input costs. However, increased sales and marketing spending, particularly on global events and brand activations, could have constrained margin expansion during the quarter.
Meanwhile, persistent macroeconomic pressures and region-specific challenges are likely to have weighed on the company’s performance. Volume softness in select markets remains concerning, particularly in China, where inventory adjustments and channel realignment may have pressured revenues. Currency fluctuations and shifting consumer demand patterns could also have affected near-term performance, especially in markets facing uncertain economic conditions.
Q2 Earnings Whispers for BUD StockOur proven model conclusively predicts an earnings beat for AB InBev this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
AB InBev presently has an Earnings ESP of +1.60% and a Zacks Rank #3.
BUD’s Valuation Picture & Stock PerformanceThe stock has a forward 12-month price-to-earnings of 17.53X compared with the five-year high of 22.58X and the Beverages - Alcohol industry’s average of 15.53X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The recent market movements show that BUD shares have risen 25.6% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry's 15.9% return. The stock has also underperformed the Zacks Consumer Staples sector and the S&P 500’s growth of 9.4% and 9.2%, respectively.
BUD Stock's Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other Stocks With the Favorable CombinationHere are some other companies that, according to our model, also have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
Fomento Economico Mexicano (FMX - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +37.42% and sports a Zacks Rank #1. The company is likely to register growth in the top and bottom lines when it reports second-quarter 2026 numbers. The consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $12.9 billion, which indicates a rise of 19.3% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FMX’s quarterly earnings per share of 82 cents implies a surge of 95.2% from the year-ago quarter’s actual. The consensus mark has moved down 10.9% in the past 30 days. FMX has a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 17%, on average.
Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.61% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is likely to register growth in the top and bottom lines when it reports second-quarter 2026 numbers. The consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $2.4 billion, which indicates growth of 14.5% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Monster Beverage’s quarterly earnings per share of 59 cents implies a rise of 13.5% from the year-ago quarter’s actual. The consensus mark has been unchanged in the past 30 days. MNST has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.6%, on average.
Mondelez International (MDLZ - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.97% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is likely to register an increase in the top line when it reports second-quarter 2026 numbers. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MDLZ’s quarterly EPS is pegged at 67 cents, down 8.2% from the year-ago period. The consensus mark has been unchanged in the past 30 days.
The consensus estimate for Mondelez International’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $9.2 billion, which implies an increase of 2.5% from the prior-year quarter. MDLZ has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5.4%, on average.
While it remains a mystery exactly why certain companies are removed from the venerable Dow Jones Industrial Average, even after years on the legacy index, we decided to ask Anthropic’s Claude chatbot for an answer on how those decisions are made. These were the results we got:
S&P Dow Jones Indices manages the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and changes to its composition are determined by an index committee—not by any fixed formula or automatic screening process. This is a key difference from many other indices (like the S&P 500), which use largely rules-based, quantitative criteria for additions and removals.
Who decides:
The S&P Dow Jones Indices Averages Committee, made up of full-time S&P Dow Jones Indices employees (analysts and economists), meets periodically and can also convene on an as-needed basis when a change seems warranted. The committee’s decisions are essentially editorial judgment calls rather than mechanical rule-following.
Criteria/factors considered for removal:
Since there’s no strict quantitative threshold, the committee weighs a mix of factors, including:
Reputation decline — A company falling out of favor, facing major controversy, or losing standing as a leading representative of American industry. Slower growth or shrinking relevance — A company no longer reflecting the sector or economy it’s meant to represent. Sector balance — The committee tries to maintain reasonable representation across major sectors of the economy. If a sector becomes overrepresented or underrepresented, a swap may follow. Stock price distortions — Because the DJIA is price-weighted (not market-cap weighted), a stock with an unusually high or low price can distort the index’s calculations. Extreme price divergence, or a stock split that significantly changes a company’s weighting, can be a trigger for a change. Corporate actions — Mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcy, or a company being acquired can force removal, since the company effectively stops existing as an independent public entity. Overall fit — Whether the company remains a widely held, financially sound, and historically significant “blue chip” that meaningfully represents the U.S. economy. When a company is removed, it’s simultaneously replaced by another company chosen to maintain balance across the 30-stock index. Because these decisions are subjective and infrequent, they tend to draw significant market attention when announced, and the S&P Dow Jones Indices typically announces changes a few days before they take effect.
With all that in mind, we decided to screen the stocks that had been removed over the past few decades and see whether the committee of analysts and economists is making the right removal decisions. Interestingly, some of the companies that were kicked out have soared and, in many cases, continued to pay big, dependable dividends. One thing we did note is that, over the past decade, technology companies have been replacing the stocks they remove.
Here are five dividend-paying giants that were all removed from the Dow.
Altria Altria (NYSE: MO | MO Price Prediction) is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of cigarettes and other tobacco-related products. This tobacco stock offers value investors a solid entry point and a 5.66% dividend. Altria manufactures and sells smokable and oral tobacco products in the United States primarily to wholesalers, including distributors and large retail organizations, such as chain stores.
Kiplinger notes that after it was removed in 2008, shareholders who held through the transition saw their shares surge by more than 150% in the years following, excluding dividends.
The company primarily sells cigarettes under the Marlboro brand, as well as:
Cigars and pipe tobacco, principally under the Black & Mild and Middleton brands Moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands on! Oral nicotine pouches e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand Altria used to own over 10% of Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD), the world’s largest brewer. In March of 2024, the company sold 35 million of its 197 million shares through a global secondary offering. That represents 18% of its holdings but still leaves 8% of the outstanding shares in its back pocket. Altria also announced a $2.4 billion stock repurchase plan partially funded by the sale.
Altria increased its quarterly dividend in the fall of 2025 by 3.9%, from $1.02 to $1.06 per share, marking its 57th consecutive dividend increase.
AT&T AT&T (NYSE: T) is the world’s fourth-largest telecommunications company, measured by revenue. The legacy telecom has been undergoing a lengthy restructuring process while maintaining a solid dividend of 5.06%. Thirteen analysts have given the stock a Buy rating, indicating broad Wall Street support.
It was removed from the index in 2015 to clear space for Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL). AT&T was a long-time Dividend Aristocrat before structural corporate changes and spinoffs altered its payout strategy.
AT&T provides a range of telecommunications, media, and technology services worldwide. Its Communications segment offers wireless voice and data communications services. Through its company-owned stores, agents, and third-party retail stores, it sells:
Handsets Wireless data cards Wireless computing devices Carrying cases Hands-free devices AT&T also provides:
Data Voice Security Cloud solutions Outsourcing Managed and provided professional services Customer premises equipment for multinational corporations, small and mid-sized businesses, and governmental and wholesale customers Additionally, this segment provides residential customers with fiber broadband and legacy voice telephony services. It markets its communications services and products under:
AT&T Cricket AT&T PREPAID AT&T Fiber The company’s Latin America segment provides wireless services in Mexico and video services throughout the region. This segment markets its services and products under the AT&T and Unefon brands.
Exxon Mobil Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) manages an industry-leading portfolio of resources and is one of the world’s largest integrated fuels, lubricants, and chemical companies. Despite the rise in oil prices, investors still have an excellent entry point to secure a strong 2.66% dividend yield. Exxon is the world’s largest international integrated oil and gas company, exploring for and producing crude oil and natural gas in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and elsewhere.
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The legacy energy behemoth was removed in August 2020 after a 92-year run to make room for Salesforce (NYSE: CRM). Despite its removal, Exxon continued to raise its dividend payout annually and has delivered strong total returns for investors.
Exxon also manufactures and markets commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene, and polypropylene plastics, as well as specialty products. Additionally, the company transports and sells crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products.
Top Wall Street analysts expect the company to remain a key beneficiary in a higher oil price environment, and most remain optimistic about the company’s sharp positive inflection in capital allocation strategy. The upstream portfolio offers leverage to a further demand recovery, and Exxon offers greater Downstream/Chemicals exposure than its peers.
Exxon completed its purchase of oil shale giant Pioneer Natural Resources in 2024 in an all-stock transaction valued at $59.5 billion. The deal created the largest U.S. oilfield producer and guarantees a decade of low-cost production.
International Paper With a rich 5.09% dividend and a product that remains in demand, this top stock is still incredibly attractive. International Paper (NYSE: IP) provides sustainable packaging solutions. The company produces renewable fiber-based packaging products and operates manufacturing facilities in North America, Latin America, Europe, and North Africa. Kiplinger said the company was kicked out of the Dow in April 2004, and that the stock rebounded by approximately 25% and delivered a total return of over 100% when dividends are factored in.
Its segments include:
Packaging Solutions North America Packaging Solutions EMEA The company’s products and services include Packaging, Packaging Services, and Recycling. It provides corrugated packaging, solid fiber, corrugated sheets, retail displays, bulk packaging, and more.
International Paper also offers related services such as design and fulfillment to support these solutions. It provides a range of packaging and display services, from design and testing to fulfillment, including structural and graphic design, printing, testing, mechanical assembly, and packaging.
The company offers recycling solutions and services to manage fiber recovery programs for retailers, grocers, e-commerce companies, distribution centers, manufacturers, and its own box plants.
Pfizer Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) was established in 1849 in New York by two German entrepreneurs. This top pharmaceutical stock was a major winner in the COVID-19 vaccine race, but has declined significantly as booster uptake has slowed. However, Pfizer’s recovery story is gaining traction, with blockbuster non-COVID drugs delivering strong growth and a potential GLP-1 product launch on the horizon. It pays a dependable 6.93% dividend, which has increased annually for the past 15 years.
Booted in the August 2020 reshuffle to accommodate Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN), Pfizer remains a staple for income investors seeking pharmaceutical exposure.
Pfizer discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide in various therapeutic areas, including:
Cardiovascular, metabolic, and women’s health under the Premarin family and Eliquis brands Biologics, small molecules, immunotherapies, and biosimilars under the Ibrance, Xtandi, Sutent, Inlyta, Retacrit, Lorbrena, and Braftovi brands Sterile injectable and anti-infective medicines and oral COVID-19 treatment under the Sulperazon, Medrol, Zavicefta, Zithromax, Vfend, Panzyga, and Paxlovid brands Pfizer also provides medicines and vaccines in other therapeutic areas, such as:
Pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, and tick-borne encephalitis COVID-19 under the Comirnaty/BNT162b2, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, Trumenba, and the Prevnar family brands Biosimilars for chronic immune and inflammatory diseases under the Xeljanz, Enbrel, Inflectra, Eucrisa/Staquis, and Cibinqo brands Amyloidosis, hemophilia, and endocrine diseases under the Vyndaqel/Vyndamax, BeneFIX, and Genotropin brands Pfizer anticipates full-year 2026 revenues to be in the range of $59.5 billion to $62.5 billion. This outlook reflects an expected $1.5 billion decline in COVID-19 product sales (forecasted at approximately $5.0 billion for 2026, compared to $6.5 billion in 2025), alongside an additional $1.5 billion headwind from upcoming drug patent expirations.
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