BUD vs STZ

For growth investors, Constellation Brands, Inc.

(STZ) is the stronger pick with 2. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 7% for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD). Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) offers the better valuation at 28. 1x trailing P/E (18. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) a "Buy" — based on 45 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On forward P/E, Constellation Brands, Inc.

is actually cheaper at 12. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) delivered a total return of +12.

4%, compared to -30. 1% for Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: STZ returned +12. 6% versus BUD's -24. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Constellation Brands, Inc.

(STZ) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 26β versus Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's 0. 28β — meaning BUD is approximately 7% more volatile than STZ relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 81% versus 170% for Constellation Brands, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Constellation Brands, Inc.

(STZ) is pulling ahead at 2. 5% versus 0. 7% for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV grew EPS 10. 0% year-over-year, compared to -104. 8% for Constellation Brands, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, STZ leads at 5. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) is the more profitable company, earning 9.

8% net margin versus -0. 8% for Constellation Brands, Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: STZ leads at 35. 5% versus 25. 9% for BUD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BUD leads at 55. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, Constellation Brands, Inc.

(STZ) trades at 12. 7x forward P/E versus 18. 8x for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV — 6. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for STZ: 16. 9% to $175. 70.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ) offers the highest yield at 2. 7%, versus 1. 6% for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Constellation Brands, Inc.

(STZ) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 26), 2. 7% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (STZ: +12. 6%, BUD: -24. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Consumer Defensive sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.