Will Anheuser-Busch InBev Beat These Analyst Estimates?

Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD  ) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 31. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Anheuser-Busch InBev's revenues will grow 1.1% and EPS will increase 16.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $10.33 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.27.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Anheuser-Busch InBev notched revenue of $9.87 billion. GAAP reported sales were 0.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $9.95 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Last quarter, non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.22. GAAP EPS of $1.19 for Q2 were 34% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.89 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 57.4%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 29.0%, 160 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.9%, 530 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $39.98 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.69.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 249 members out of 272 rating the stock outperform, and 23 members rating it underperform. Among 68 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 63 give Anheuser-Busch InBev a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Anheuser-Busch InBev is outperform, with an average price target of $80.46.

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