American Century Companies Inc. Boosts Stake in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Free Report) by 6.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,232,357 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 135,132 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc.'s holdings in Ambev were worth $4,130,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Ambev by 9.2% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,425,374 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,438,000 after acquiring an additional 878,900 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its holdings in Ambev by 132.9% in the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 1,976,147 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,822,000 after purchasing an additional 1,127,719 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Ambev by 18.3% in the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 54,013 shares of the company's stock valued at $129,000 after purchasing an additional 8,350 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Ambev by 298.1% during the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 802,016 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,957,000 after purchasing an additional 600,545 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Private Management Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Ambev by 8.1% in the fourth quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 14,512,234 shares of the company's stock worth $26,848,000 after purchasing an additional 1,083,882 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 8.13% of the company's stock.

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Ambev Stock Down 1.5 %

NYSE:ABEV traded down $0.04 on Thursday, reaching $2.27. 29,166,624 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 26,888,227. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The company has a market capitalization of $35.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.58, a PEG ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.68. Ambev S.A. has a 12 month low of $1.76 and a 12 month high of $2.56. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $2.13 and its 200 day simple moving average is $2.12.

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

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be issued a $0.0221 dividend. This represents a $0.09 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 18th. Ambev's dividend payout ratio is 52.94%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on ABEV shares. Morgan Stanley cut Ambev from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating in a research report on Monday. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Bank of America downgraded Ambev from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Ambev in a research note on Monday, January 27th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Ambev in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ambev currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $2.45.

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.