Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Short Interest Down 26.5% in March

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in 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 volume of 36,580,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.8 days. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Ambev Stock Performance

Shares of ABEV stock traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $2.36. The company had a trading volume of 16,023,435 shares, compared to its average volume of 34,773,746. Ambev has a 52-week low of $1.76 and a 52-week high of $2.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $2.05 and its 200 day simple moving average is $2.12. The stock has a market cap of $37.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.11, a PEG ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.94.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share 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 analysts' expectations of $22.42 billion. Ambev had a net margin of 17.02% and a return on equity of 16.12%. Research analysts anticipate that Ambev will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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Ambev Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.0221 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 18th. This represents a $0.09 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.74%. Ambev's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 52.94%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ambev

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MCIA Inc purchased a new position in shares of Ambev during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Insight Inv LLC purchased a new position in Ambev in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Generation Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Ambev in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Naviter Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.13% of the company's stock.

Ambev Company Profile

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.