StockNews.com Initiates Coverage on Ambev (NYSE:ABEV)

StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Free Report) in a report published on Saturday morning. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the stock.

Ambev Stock Performance

NYSE:ABEV traded down $0.06 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $1.79. The stock had a trading volume of 44,184,733 shares, compared to its average volume of 54,653,738. Ambev has a twelve month low of $1.76 and a twelve month high of $2.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market cap of $28.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.92, a PEG ratio of 6.67 and a beta of 1.05. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $2.09 and its 200 day simple moving average is $2.20.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.0414 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 23rd. This represents a dividend yield of 1.93%. Ambev's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.89%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ambev

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ABEV. MCIA Inc acquired a new stake in Ambev during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. HTLF Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Riversedge Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Ambev in the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Foster Group Inc. acquired a new position in Ambev in the third quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors own 8.13% of the company's stock.

About Ambev

Ambev SA, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and sale of beer, draft beer, carbonated soft drinks, malt and food, other alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic and non-carbonated products in Brazil, Central America and Caribbean, Latin America South, and Canada. It offers beer primarily under the Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Brahva, Budweiser, Bud Light, Beck, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Balboa ICE, Balboa, Atlas Golden Light, Atlas, Bucanero, Cristal, Mayabe, Presidente, Presidente Light, Brahma Light, Bohemia, The One, Corona, Modelo Especial, Stella Artois, Quilmes Clásica, Paceña, Taquiña, Huari, Becker, Cusqueña, Michelob Ultra, Busch, Pilsen, Ouro Fino, Bud 66, Banks, Deputy, Patricia, Labatt Blue, Alexander Keith's, and Kokanee brands.