Anheuser-Busch (NYSE:BUD) shares moved up $0.70, or 1.32%, to $53.84 on speculation that the company could be a takeover target for Bill Ackman's Pershing Square hedge fund. The suggestion was first brought forth by the New York Post, which broke news from the fund's shareholder meeting.

The speculation stems from statements that Ackman made to shareholders when it raised $2 billion in additional equity. The activist investor told investors that the money would be used to purchase a controlling interest in an "iconic American company" worth between $30 and $40 billion. He also stated that the target company has three divisions. While Ackman declined to comment on these reports, Anheuser-Busch happens to fit this bill perfectly.

Many traders in this situation wait for an initial run-up and then utilize options strategies such as an options backspread to take advantage of the impending volatility. The logic is that once the stock has moved up on speculation, it will settle down if the rumor is false. Meanwhile, if the rumor is true then the stock will move much higher on a buyout.

Overall, this is nothing more than speculation; however, it is certainly a stock worth watching in the near future or a stock to trade for active day traders!

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