Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Short Interest Up 21.4% in February

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 38,290,000 shares, a growth of 21.4% from the January 31st total of 31,550,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 36,230,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days. Approximately 0.2% of the company's shares are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Ambev Stock Performance

NYSE ABEV traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $2.25. 11,983,025 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 36,695,320. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $35.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.47, a P/E/G ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.94. Ambev has a 1 year low of $1.76 and a 1 year high of $2.58. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $1.89 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.13.

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

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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.93%. Ambev's payout ratio is 52.94%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ambev

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MCIA Inc bought a new position in Ambev during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Insight Inv LLC bought a new position in Ambev in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Generation Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Ambev in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Ambev during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Naviter Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ambev during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Hedge funds and other 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.