Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 29,250,000 shares, a decline of 26.5% from the February 28th total of 39,800,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 36,580,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days. Currently, 0.2% of the company's shares are sold short.

Institutional Trading of Ambev

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. GQG Partners LLC raised its stake in Ambev by 51.9% in the 4th quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 196,676,003 shares of the company's stock valued at $363,851,000 after acquiring an additional 67,180,274 shares during the period. Talaria Asset Management Pty Ltd bought a new position in shares of Ambev in the fourth quarter valued at about $38,602,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its stake in shares of Ambev by 1,641.9% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 19,001,985 shares of the company's stock worth $35,154,000 after buying an additional 17,911,122 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in shares of Ambev by 201.7% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 26,087,675 shares of the company's stock worth $48,262,000 after buying an additional 17,440,564 shares during the period. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP grew its stake in Ambev by 329.6% in the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 16,354,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,255,000 after buying an additional 12,546,800 shares during the last quarter. 8.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ambev Stock Up 3.0 %

Shares of NYSE ABEV traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $2.43. The company had a trading volume of 27,343,281 shares, compared to its average volume of 26,328,183. Ambev has a 1-year low of $1.76 and a 1-year high of $2.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The firm's 50 day moving average is $2.06 and its 200-day moving average is $2.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $38.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.68.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.05 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.06 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.42 billion. Ambev had a net margin of 17.02% and a return on equity of 16.12%. On average, analysts expect that Ambev will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be paid a $0.0221 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 18th. This represents a $0.09 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.63%. Ambev's dividend payout ratio is 52.94%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Bank of America lowered Ambev from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. StockNews.com began coverage on Ambev in a research report on Monday, January 27th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Citigroup reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Ambev in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on shares of Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $2.45.

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.