Can Anheuser-Busch InBev Meet These Numbers?

Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 27. 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 2.8% and EPS will compress -2.4%.

The average estimate for revenue is $10.14 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.20.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Anheuser-Busch InBev notched revenue of $10.27 billion. GAAP reported sales were 0.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $10.22 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 $1.17. GAAP EPS of $1.15 for Q3 were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.00 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 58.4%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 32.1%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.9%, 230 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $40.01 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.64.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 272 members out of 295 rating the stock outperform, and 23 members rating it underperform. Among 77 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 73 give Anheuser-Busch InBev a green thumbs-up, and four 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 $91.77.

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