Should I buy Anheuser-Busch InBev stock in 2025? South Africa Insights

What is Anheuser-Busch InBev?

How much is the Anheuser-Busch InBev stock?

The price of Anheuser-Busch InBev stock is rising this week. The current price is $70.53, showing a 1.09% gain in the past 24 hours, while the stock is down 3.19% over the past week. Market capitalization stands at $136.31 billion, with an average 3-month trading volume of 2.46 million shares. The P/E ratio is 20.74, the dividend yield is 1.49%, and the beta is 0.85. With moderate volatility, AB InBev offers ZA investors both stability and attractive long-term growth prospects in the defensive consumer sector.

Our full analysis of Anheuser-Busch InBev stock

Having conducted a comprehensive review of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s most recent financial results and examined the stock’s performance trajectory over the past three years, we have scrutinized a range of analytics—spanning financial fundamentals, technical indicators, market sentiment, and competitive positioning—leveraging our proprietary evaluation algorithms. Taken together, the underlying signals and datapoints reinforce a dynamic narrative for the stock. So, why might Anheuser-Busch InBev once again emerge as a strategic entry point within the global consumer staples sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD), the world’s leading brewer, is showcasing a remarkable resurgence, evident in its share price evolution. As of 30 May 2025, BUD trades at USD 70.53, reflecting a robust +30.4% gain over the past six months and +11.1% over one year, despite a marginal -3.2% dip in the past week amid broader market volatility. This performance comfortably outpaces major sector benchmarks, highlighting relative strength.

Several recent events have underpinned market confidence:

• $300 million US production investment: This capital injection into American brewing capacity is a clear signal of growth ambition and operational confidence in North America, a core profit driver for BUD.
• Analyst upgrade: The stock benefited from a notable upgrade and “buy” recommendation by Goldman Sachs, amplifying institutional interest.
• Strategic partnerships and product launches: The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 partnership and the launch of Phorm Energy mark both global brand strengthening and an agile response to shifting consumer trends.
• Favourable macroeconomic position: Despite moderate consumer headwinds in select emerging markets, the premiumisation and non-alcoholic beverage strategies dovetail with resilient global consumer spending and regulatory tailwinds for healthier lifestyles.

In the context of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the broader Sub-Saharan Africa investment community, BUD’s global scale and the ongoing premiumisation of consumer preferences are viewed as robust hedges against regional volatility and currency risk, providing an appealing diversification element for South African portfolios.

Technical Analysis

BUD exhibits a technical structure that is supportive of further gains:

• Momentum and Levels: Currently trading at its 52-week high ($70.72), with intraday support established just below at $69.90. This area has been tested multiple times, establishing a meaningful floor in the current uptrend.
• Indicators:
• RSI (Relative Strength Index) remains elevated, but not yet in overbought territory, implying ongoing bullish momentum with room to run.
• MACD: The Moving Average Convergence Divergence has flashed a bullish crossover in May, auguring well for continued positive price action.
• Moving Averages: Both the 50- and 200-day moving averages have provided dynamic support, validating the current medium- to long-term uptrend structure.

Short- and medium-term momentum appear robust. Clear upward price confirmation, alongside sustained volume, signals that any brief pullbacks may represent healthy consolidation phases rather than structural weakness. This technical foundation enhances conviction that BUD is entering, or already within, a bullish phase.

Fundamental Analysis

Anheuser-Busch InBev’s fundamentals present a compelling long-term growth story:

• Top-line and bottom-line strength: Q1 2025 saw revenue reach $13.63 billion (+1.5% organic growth), supported by an impressive normalized EBITDA of $4.86 billion (+7.9% organically). The EBITDA margin expanded to 35.6%, boosted by operational leverage and product mix improvement.
• Earnings power: Underlying EPS grew 7.1% versus Q1 2024, outpacing consensus and confirming management discipline in cost and margin control.
• Valuation: With a P/E ratio of 20.74 and a consensus price target of $77.32, BUD trades at a justified premium to global beverage peers, given its growth profile, structural scale, and brand equity. The PEG and P/S ratios also situate BUD attractively for forward-looking investors assessing growth at a reasonable price.
• Strategic expansion and innovation:
• The digital transformation, spearheaded by the BEES B2B platform (now at $11.6 billion GMV and a presence in 28 markets), has entrenched BUD as a tech-forward FCMG leader.
• Non-alcoholic drinks continue to show outsized growth (+34% YoY revenue), with the segment gaining increasing importance in the portfolio.
• Premiumisation remains a cross-market growth driver, as corona (+11.2% ex-Mexico) and global brands like Budweiser and Stella Artois strengthen global market share.
• Structural strengths: As the largest global brewer, the company maintains unrivaled scale, procurement efficiency, and distribution reach, with more than 500 brands and deep roots in emerging and developed markets.

Volume and Liquidity

• Enhanced market liquidity: With an average daily volume of 2.46 million shares, investors benefit from tight spreads and ease of trade execution—a notable advantage for South African and global portfolio managers seeking scalable exposure.
• High float: A large, freely traded float enables dynamic price discovery and supports robust institutional participation, contributing to a healthy valuation mechanism.
• Volume surges in uptrends: Notable upticks in trading volumes have accompanied major price advances, a classic sign of rising investor confidence and conviction.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Looking forward, several high-conviction catalysts stand out:

• Premium and non-alcoholic portfolio expansion: Strong double-digit growth in premium and non-alcoholic revenues positions BUD to capture ongoing shifts in global consumer preferences.
• Digital transformation: The continued rollout of the BEES digital platform is projected to further increase B2B sales efficiency, margin, and data visibility—crucial for agile supply chain management and innovation.
• Strategic partnerships: The FIFA World Club Cup sponsorship dramatically increases BUD’s global visibility, fuelling sales prospects in key emerging markets.
• Innovation: BUD’s entry into the lucrative energy drinks space through Phorm Energy, along with AI and digital marketing initiatives, are positioned to generate fresh growth channels.
• ESG initiatives: Environmental, social, and governance priorities—including water stewardship and global responsible drinking campaigns—help fortify the company’s premium and sustainable brand positioning, especially relevant for investors adhering to ESG principles.

Tactically, the consensus of 27 covering analysts is “optimistic,” with recent upgrades highlighting market recognition of these multi-year positive drivers.

Investment Strategies

BUD’s current setup creates flexibility for various strategic entry points:

• Short-term traders: Price stability just above major support ($69.90) offers an attractive technical entry for those seeking to capitalize on breakout momentum or brief reversals ahead of anticipated news flow (such as earnings or large-scale activations).
• Medium-term positioning: The blend of high-margin growth, strategic digital expansion, and planned partnerships like the FIFA event present clear catalysts over the next several quarters. This period could see valuation reratings and sustained outperformance versus global peers.
• Long-term investors: For South African (and global) investors seeking resilient, low-beta exposure (beta = 0.85, suggesting lower volatility versus global equities), BUD provides a strategic blend of stable dividends (current yield: 1.49%), secular growth via premiumisation, and robust capital appreciation potential.
• Ideal timing: With the stock consolidating near its 52-week high but yet to breach aggressive overbought technical conditions, and with fresh catalysts on the horizon, the current period seems particularly opportune for phased accumulation or initial positioning.

Is It the Right Time to Buy Anheuser-Busch InBev?

In summary, Anheuser-Busch InBev exhibits a formidable combination of operational excellence, strategic innovation, and positive financial momentum. The accelerated expansion in premium and non-alcoholic beverages, combined with digital transformation and high-profile sports sponsorships, offers multiple, tangible sources of upside. Technical and volume signals reinforce the thesis of a stock that is not only well-supported at its current levels but may be embarking on a fresh bullish phase.

For investors in South Africa, BUD’s global stature, defensive qualities, and growth catalysts provide an appealing anchor in consumer staples—well-aligned for portfolios navigating both local and international uncertainties. With robust fundamentals, attractive valuation support, and clear market momentum, Anheuser-Busch InBev seems to represent an excellent opportunity for those seeking growth, yield, and resilience.

As the world’s leading brewer enters a digitally transformed and premium-focused era, Anheuser-Busch InBev stands out as a stock that merits serious consideration for investors positioning themselves for the next wave of industry growth and strategic value creation.

How to buy Anheuser-Busch InBev stock in South Africa?

Buying Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) shares online is a straightforward and secure process for South African investors, thanks to regulated brokers that provide access to global stock markets. Today, you can choose between two main methods: direct spot buying—where you purchase and own the shares outright—or trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which allow you to speculate on price movements with leverage. Each method offers unique advantages in terms of risk, cost, and ownership. To select the broker and method that best suit your needs, explore our broker comparison further down the page.

Spot Buying

A cash, or “spot”, purchase means you buy Anheuser-Busch InBev shares directly via a broker, becoming a shareholder and potentially earning dividends. For South African investors, this typically involves a fixed commission per transaction, often ranging from R70 to R200, depending on the platform. For example, with BUD trading at $70.53 per share (approx. R1,330 at a USD/ZAR exchange rate of 18.87), a $1,000 (about R18,870) investment allows you to buy around 14 shares, factoring in a typical brokerage fee of $5.

Gain scenario

If the share price rises by 10%, your shares are now worth $1,100.
Result: +$100 gross gain, or +10% on your investment.

Trading via CFD

CFD (Contract for Difference) trading lets you speculate on the price movements of Anheuser-Busch InBev shares without owning the shares themselves. CFDs enable leverage, so you can amplify potential gains (and losses) using only a fraction of the capital required for direct ownership. Expect to pay a spread (difference between buy and sell price) and overnight financing fees for leveraged positions. For instance, with a $1,000 stake and x5 leverage, your effective market exposure becomes $5,000.

Gain scenario

If the stock rises by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: +$400 gain on a $1,000 position (excluding fees).

Final Advice

Before investing, carefully compare brokers' fees, trading conditions, and platform features—this can significantly impact your overall returns. The decision between direct share ownership and CFDs depends on your investment objectives and risk tolerance. Explore our broker comparison further down this page to make an informed choice tailored to your needs.

Our 7 tips for buying Anheuser-Busch InBev stock

The latest news about Anheuser-Busch InBev

AB InBev delivered Q1 2025 results above expectations with EBITDA up 7.9% and strong margin growth. The group reported a quarterly revenue of $13.628 billion, showing 1.5% organic growth, and an EBITDA margin expansion to 35.6%. Underlying earnings per share increased to $0.81, a 7.1% year-over-year rise. This performance exceeded market forecasts, driven by disciplined cost management and a continued premiumisation strategy, which is particularly relevant in markets such as South Africa where premium brands are gaining traction. Analysts view the result as supportive of further upside in share price, especially given the company's operational resilience in emerging markets.

Goldman Sachs issued a buy upgrade for AB InBev shares, citing robust fundamentals and further upside potential. The influential investment bank increased its recommendation on the stock this week, referencing the company’s strong brand positioning, improving financial metrics, and enhanced long-term visibility due to consistent global execution. For South African investors and market watchers, this international vote of confidence underscores the appeal of AB InBev both as a defensive holding and as a growth opportunity in the beverage space, with room still above its current analyst price target of $77.32.

The launch of Phorm Energy marks AB InBev’s diversification into the energy drink market, expanding locally-distributed offerings. The strategic entry into energy beverages through the new Phorm Energy brand opens additional growth channels, notably in Southern Africa where the market for energy drinks has shown double-digit growth rates over recent years. This move aligns with broader consumer trends and could reinforce AB InBev’s market share in the non-alcoholic beverages segment across the region, benefiting both brand equity and local distributor networks.

AB InBev’s continued premiumisation and rapid growth in no-alcohol brands offer constructive signals for the South African market. The company achieved a 34% year-on-year increase in no-alcohol segment revenues and over 11% growth in premium brands like Corona, outside their traditional markets. In South Africa, where evolving consumer preferences are moving towards premium and health-conscious beverages, these trends directly reinforce AB InBev’s positioning as a leading supplier with a diversified, responsive portfolio.

Digital platform BEES drives efficient distribution and digital integration in South Africa, bolstering B2B performance and revenue mix. With BEES now established in 28 markets and generating $11.6 billion in gross merchandise value, South Africa benefits from this end-to-end digital sales and distribution solution. Covering over 72% of group revenue via B2B platforms, the implementation in the local market enhances transparency, logistics, and retailer engagement, strengthening AB InBev’s supply chain and supporting its share performance outlook in the region.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.