Benzinga - by Chris Katje, Benzinga Staff Writer.
Beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev SA (NYSE:BUD) is set to report fourth-quarter financial results before the market opens Thursday.
Here are the key earnings estimates, analyst ratings and key items for investors to watch.
Earnings Estimates: Analysts expect Anheuser-Busch InBev to report fourth-quarter revenue of $15.50 billion according to estimates from Benzinga Pro.
The company reported $14.67 billion in revenue in last year's fourth quarter. The estimated total would be down from $15.57 billion reported in the third quarter. The company missed analysts' estimates for revenue in five straight quarters.
Analysts expect the beer company to report earnings of 78 cents per share for the fourth quarter, which would be a decline from the 86 cents per share reported in last year's fourth quarter. The company beat earnings per share estimates from analysts in four straight quarters with four beats and one make in the past five quarters.
The company said during its third-quarter earnings results that it expected full fiscal year EBITDA to grow at around 4% to 8% and revenue to outpace EBITDA growth, led by volume and pricing gains.
Related Link: Lionel Messi To The Rescue: Could Soccer Superstar Help Beer Company Move Past Boycott And Backlash?
What Analysts Are Saying: Benzinga's analyst ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev showed the following recent January calls.
Exane BNP Paribas: Downgraded from Outperform to Neutral, no price target
Jefferies: Upgraded from Hold to Buy, raised price target from $60 to $76
CNBC host Jim Cramer was asked about the beer company in recent weeks and shared his opinion, as well.
Cramer recommended rival Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) over Anheuser-Busch InBev due to the company having better cash flow, a wine business that could be sold off and more growth opportunities.
Two weeks prior, Cramer said he liked Anheuser-Busch InBev, Molson Coors Beverage Co (NYSE:TAP) and Constellation Brands but cautioned investors that "people don't seem to like the beer companies."
Key Items To Watch: Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev have recovered from lows hit last spring after controversy surrounded the company due to its partnership with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney.
Investors will be listening to hear how sales of the Bud Light brand are performing and if the beer company is seeing market share gains after the popular beer brand lost its title of top-selling beer in the U. S. last year.
In recent months, Bud Light has partnered with the UFC and several athletes and saw Kid Rock and former President Donald Trump encourage beer drinkers to give the brand a second chance after the boycott fiasco.
Outside of Bud Light, the beer company signed a deal as the official beer sponsor of the upcoming 2024 Copa America, which takes place in June and July. The company would promote its Michelob Ultra brand and has a partnership with global soccer superstar Lionel Messi.
Guidance and forward-looking comments from the company could provide an update on how sports sponsorships are performing.
The company also aired several Super Bowl ads during Super Bowl LVIII, including for its Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra brands. Comments from the company could include how strong the marketing push was and how the ads were received.
After an up-and-down year for Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2023, investors will likely want to hear about the recovery of the Bud Light brand and what's next for the beer company.
BUD Price Action: Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev are down 1.22% to $62.29 on Wednesday versus a 52-week trading range of $51.66 to $67.09. Shares of the beer company are up 2% over the last year.
Read Next: Kid Rock Is Drinking Bud Light Again After Machine Gun Fire, Rant, Boycott: ‘I Think They Got The Message’
Photo: Shutterstock
Latest Ratings for BUD
| Nov 2021 | Redburn Partners | Upgrades | Neutral | Buy |
| Sep 2021 | Argus Research | Downgrades | Buy | Hold |
| Sep 2021 | JP Morgan | Downgrades | Neutral | Underweight |
View the Latest Analyst Ratings
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