ABEV

Consumer Defensive

Ambev S.A. · Beverages - Alcoholic · $50B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
62.2
Good

Ambev S.A. scores 62.2/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Consumer Defensive Sector
ABEV
62.2
Sector avg
38.4
Quality
Strong
Moat
Weak
Growth
Weak
Risk
Strong
Valuation
Attractive

What is Ambev S.A.?

Ambev S.A. is one of the largest beverage companies in the Americas, producing and distributing beer, soft drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages across multiple countries. Headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, it operates through a broad portfolio of owned and licensed brands.

Ambev generates revenue by producing, distributing, and selling beer, carbonated soft drinks, water, energy drinks, and other beverages across four regional segments: Brazil, Central America and the Caribbean, Latin America South, and Canada. The company reaches consumers through a combination of direct distribution and third-party distributor networks. Ambev operates as a subsidiary of Interbrew International B.V. and holds licensing agreements for several globally recognized brands alongside its own portfolio.

Ambev was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil.

  • Beer brands including Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Stella Artois, and Corona
  • Carbonated soft drinks under Pepsi, Guaraná Antarctica, and Canada Dry
  • Non-alcoholic beverages including water, energy drinks, and ready-to-drink teas
  • Isotonic and coconut water products under Gatorade and Do Bem
  • Malt and food products distributed across the Americas

Is ABEV a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates ABEV as Good overall, reflecting a balanced but mixed profile across its five quality pillars.

Ambev's strongest attributes lie in its Quality and Risk pillars, both rated Strong. The company demonstrates financial resilience and operational stability that are characteristic of large, established consumer defensive businesses. Its Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, suggesting the market may not be fully pricing in its fundamental strengths relative to peers.

The Moat and Growth pillars are both rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and subdued expansion prospects — headwinds common in mature beverage markets facing currency pressures and shifting consumer preferences.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does ABEV pay dividends?

Yes — Ambev S.A. pays a dividend.

Ambev pays a regular dividend, consistent with its position as a large-cap consumer defensive company generating steady cash flows. The dividend reflects the company's mature business model and its approach to returning capital to shareholders rather than pursuing aggressive reinvestment. Investors seeking income exposure in Latin American consumer staples often consider ABEV's dividend profile as part of their assessment.

When does ABEV report earnings?

Ambev reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for NYSE-listed international equities.

The company's Strong Quality and Risk pillar ratings suggest underlying financial stability, though the Weak Growth pillar indicates that recent top-line expansion has been limited. Currency dynamics across its Latin American markets can meaningfully influence reported results from quarter to quarter.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Ambev's official investor relations page.

ABEV Price History

+16.2% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Ambev S.A.?

$
Today it would be worth
$14,194
That's a +41.9% total return, or +7.3% annualized.

Based on Ambev S.A.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

ABEV Long-term Outlook

Ambev's fundamental outlook reflects the tension between a stable, cash-generative business and a challenging growth environment. The Strong Risk pillar suggests the company is well-positioned to weather macroeconomic volatility across its operating regions. However, the Weak Growth pillar indicates that meaningful revenue acceleration is not clearly visible in the near term. The Attractive Valuation pillar may offer a margin of safety for patient investors focused on capital preservation alongside income.

Growth drivers

  • Premiumization trends in beer and non-alcoholic beverages across Latin America
  • Expansion of direct distribution capabilities in underpenetrated regional markets
  • Licensed global brand portfolio providing pricing power in select categories

Key risks

  • Currency depreciation in Brazil and other Latin American markets compressing reported results
  • Weak Moat rating signals limited pricing power against local and global competitors
  • Subdued consumer spending in key markets constraining volume growth

ABEV vs Peers

Ambev operates in a competitive global beverage landscape alongside several large multinational players.

HEINYABEV scores higher
Heineken N.V.

Heineken competes with Ambev through a globally distributed premium beer portfolio with stronger exposure to European and Asian markets.

FMXABEV scores higher
Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V.

FEMSA operates across beverages and retail in Latin America, offering broader diversification beyond beer into convenience retail and Coca-Cola bottling.

BUDABEV scores higher
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

As Ambev's parent company's broader entity, BUD holds a larger global footprint and a more extensive licensed brand portfolio across more than fifty countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ambev do?

Ambev produces, distributes, and sells beer, carbonated soft drinks, water, energy drinks, and other beverages across the Americas. It operates in Brazil, Central America and the Caribbean, Latin America South, and Canada through both direct distribution and third-party networks.

Does ABEV pay dividends?

Yes, Ambev pays a regular dividend. The company's mature, cash-generative business model in the consumer defensive sector supports consistent capital returns to shareholders. Investors should check Ambev's investor relations page for the most current dividend details.

When does ABEV report earnings?

Ambev reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, standard for NYSE-listed companies. For the exact schedule and most recent results, refer to Ambev's official investor relations page rather than relying on third-party estimates.

Is ABEV a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates ABEV as Good overall. Its Strong Quality and Risk pillars reflect financial stability, and its Valuation pillar is rated Attractive. However, Weak Moat and Growth pillars are meaningful considerations. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is ABEV overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for ABEV is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock may be reasonably priced relative to its fundamentals when compared to sector peers. Valuation should always be considered alongside the company's growth and moat profile for a complete picture.

How does ABEV compare to its competitors?

Ambev competes with global beverage giants including Heineken, FEMSA, and Anheuser-Busch InBev. Relative to these peers, Ambev's geographic concentration in Latin America is both a source of regional scale and a point of currency and macroeconomic exposure. UQS Pro members can view side-by-side pillar comparisons.

What is ABEV's market cap bracket?

Ambev is classified as a large-cap company, reflecting its significant scale as one of the dominant beverage producers across the Americas. Large-cap status generally implies greater liquidity and institutional coverage compared to smaller peers.

Who founded Ambev?

Ambev was formed in 1997 through the merger of two major Brazilian brewers, Brahma and Antarctica. The company's roots trace back to 1885 through its predecessor entities. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Interbrew International B.V.

Is ABEV a long-term quality investment?

From a long-term quality perspective, ABEV's Strong Quality and Risk pillars indicate financial durability. However, the Weak Growth and Moat pillars suggest limited competitive insulation and expansion potential over time. Long-term investors should weigh these factors alongside the Attractive Valuation rating.

What is the main competitive advantage of Ambev?

Ambev's primary advantages include its regional distribution scale across Latin America, a broad portfolio of owned and licensed brands, and its established relationships with distributors. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating these advantages may not provide durable pricing power against competitors.

What sector does ABEV belong to?

Ambev belongs to the Consumer Defensive sector. Companies in this sector typically produce essential or habitual consumer goods — such as beverages — that tend to maintain relatively stable demand even during economic downturns, contributing to Ambev's Strong Risk pillar rating.

Is ABEV a growth stock or value stock?

Based on its UQS pillar profile, ABEV leans toward value characteristics. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive while the Growth pillar is rated Weak, suggesting the stock is priced modestly but is not expected to deliver rapid expansion. It may appeal more to income and value-oriented investors.

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Pro Analysis

ABEV — Score History

55606570Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 30 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 21, 202662.081.536.030.581.595.4-0.1
May 20, 202662.181.536.030.581.596.10.0
May 16, 202662.181.536.030.581.595.7+0.2
May 14, 202661.981.536.029.981.595.6-0.3
May 12, 202662.281.536.030.181.597.0-0.1
May 11, 202662.381.536.030.181.597.8-0.1
May 10, 202662.482.336.030.181.597.1+0.1
May 9, 202662.381.536.030.181.597.8+0.4
May 8, 202661.980.736.030.181.596.7+1.0
May 6, 202660.981.036.025.280.896.6-0.4

ABEV — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

81.5/100 (25%)

Ambev S.A. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Strong

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityModerate

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityStrong

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityStrong

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsStrong

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

30.5/100 (20%)

Ambev S.A. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookModerate

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthModerate

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

81.5/100 (15%)

Ambev S.A. carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.

Financial LeverageStrong

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageStrong

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

96.7/100 (15%)

Ambev S.A. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

36/100 (25%)

Ambev S.A. possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for ABEV.

Score Composition

Quality
81.5×25%20.4
Growth
30.5×20%6.1
Risk
81.5×15%12.2
Valuation
96.7×15%14.5
Moat
36.0×25%9.0
Total
62.2Good

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the ABEV UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Ambev S.A. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Ambev S.A.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Ambev S.A. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.