Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) Shares Acquired by Capital Research Global Investors

Capital Research Global Investors increased its stake in Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST - Free Report) by 0.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,448,422 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 8,081 shares during the quarter. Capital Research Global Investors owned approximately 0.56% of Monster Beverage worth $286,368,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MNST. Sustainable Insight Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Monster Beverage during the fourth quarter worth about $1,214,000. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its stake in Monster Beverage by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 154,125 shares of the company's stock worth $8,101,000 after buying an additional 7,780 shares in the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Monster Beverage during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $7,090,000. Diversified Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of Monster Beverage in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $733,000. Finally, Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT acquired a new stake in shares of Monster Beverage in the fourth quarter worth approximately $423,000. 72.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Monster Beverage news, insider Emelie Tirre sold 91,316 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.38, for a total value of $5,057,080.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 76,201 shares in the company, valued at $4,220,011.38. The trade was a 54.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Guy Carling sold 47,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.02, for a total value of $2,585,940.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 21,993 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,210,054.86. The trade was a 68.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 208,316 shares of company stock worth $11,484,440 over the last three months. Company insiders own 7.80% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on MNST shares. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Monster Beverage from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Monster Beverage from $51.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Monster Beverage from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Monster Beverage from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on Monster Beverage from $60.00 to $61.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $57.89.

Monster Beverage Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ:MNST traded down $0.50 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $58.59. 3,618,646 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,060,381. The firm has a market cap of $57.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.56, a P/E/G ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 3.13 and a quick ratio of 2.51. Monster Beverage Co. has a 1 year low of $43.32 and a 1 year high of $60.34. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $56.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $53.30.

Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 27th. The company reported $0.38 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.40 by ($0.02). Monster Beverage had a net margin of 21.66% and a return on equity of 23.31%. The firm had revenue of $1.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. Equities research analysts forecast that Monster Beverage Co. will post 1.62 EPS for the current year.

Monster Beverage Profile

Monster Beverage Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in development, marketing, sale, and distribution of energy drink beverages and concentrates in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Monster Energy Drinks, Strategic Brands, Alcohol Brands, and Other.