We See Both These Brewers As Buys

Article Excerpt

ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES INC. $49 (New York symbol BUD; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 733.8 million; Market cap: $36.0 billion; WSSF Rating: Above average) is the world’s largest brewer, and accounts for 50% of the U.S. beer market. Beer provides 85% of Anheuser-Busch’s earnings. The remaining 15% comes from its nine theme parks and aluminum can recycling operations. While demand for Anheuser-Busch’s core brands has weakened, the company is doing a good job expanding sales to drinkers between 21 and 27 years old. These drinkers tend to consume more beer than other age groups. Acquisitions and a new alliance with a leading European brewer have also let Anheuser-Busch profit from rising interest in premium imports and craft beers. These products generate higher profits than regular beers . In the three months ended September 30, 2007, earnings grew 10.8%, to $706.7 million from $637.5 million a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 15.9%, to $0.95 from $0.82, due to fewer shares outstanding…