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On Wednesday, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) updated its outlook on Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) shares, raising the price target to $78 from the previous $72.50. The stock, currently trading at $70.17 and up 41.8% year-to-date, has shown strong momentum approaching its 52-week high of $70.72. The firm maintained its Overweight rating on the beer conglomerate’s stock. The adjustment follows Anheuser-Busch InBev’s first-quarter results and a review of foreign exchange rates. InvestingPro analysis reveals 8 additional investment tips for BUD, available to subscribers.
The analyst at Morgan Stanley, Sarah Simon, provided insights into the revision, noting an increase in the expected organic EBITDA growth to 6.3%, up from 5.6%. The company’s current EBITDA stands at $18.93 billion, with InvestingPro data showing a strong overall financial health score of 2.81 (rated as GOOD). However, she also mentioned a slight decrease in absolute EBITDA terms by 1%, taking into account changes in foreign exchange and scope. Looking further ahead, the forecast for organic EBITDA growth in the fiscal year 2026 was slightly reduced to 5.9% from the previous 6.3%.
According to Simon’s analysis, there have been significant foreign exchange changes since their last update, as well as a decrease in depreciation following a decline in capital expenditures. These factors contributed to an upward revision of the earnings per share (EPS) forecast for the fiscal years 2025 and 2026 by 2.7% and 2.6%, respectively.
The analyst elaborated on the impact of these changes on valuation, stating that the bull, base, and bear case values have been adjusted to reflect the EPS upgrades. The stock currently trades at a P/E ratio of 20.33, with analyst targets ranging from $65 to $88. It was emphasized that all valuation parameters remained unchanged, with only the EPS and foreign exchange considerations influencing the new price target. According to InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis, the stock appears to be fairly valued at current levels.
In other recent news, Anheuser-Busch InBev has been the focus of several analyst updates and financial developments. The company’s first-quarter performance showed organic EBITDA growth of 7.9%, surpassing expectations, which led Evercore ISI to raise its price target on Anheuser-Busch shares to $80, maintaining an Outperform rating. Additionally, S&P Global Ratings revised its outlook on Anheuser-Busch to positive, citing strong free cash flow generation and a reduction in debt, with the debt to EBITDA ratio improving to 2.9x. Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) also upgraded Anheuser-Busch’s stock rating to Buy, increasing its price target to €75.00, highlighting the company’s consistent performance and emerging market growth.
Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on Anheuser-Busch with a Buy rating, setting a price target of EUR72.00, and noted the company’s strategic shift towards ready-to-drink beverages and hard seltzers. Despite the challenges associated with this shift, Berenberg emphasized the company’s strong return on invested capital and limited acquisitions over the past decade. Meanwhile, Anheuser-Busch InBev’s annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, was filed with the SEC, although specific financial figures were not disclosed.
The SEC filing serves as an official record of the company’s financial and operational status, keeping investors informed about its performance. Analysts have noted Anheuser-Busch’s strategic focus on premium brands and global market share gains, which are driving its momentum. The company is expected to maintain strong free operating cash flow, providing flexibility for dividends and share buybacks in the coming years.
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