Gateway Investment Advisers LLC Acquires 9,015 Shares of Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST)

Gateway Investment Advisers LLC raised its stake in Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST - Free Report) by 2.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 448,712 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 9,015 shares during the period. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC's holdings in Monster Beverage were worth $23,584,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in Monster Beverage by 6.6% during the 3rd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 251,570 shares of the company's stock worth $13,124,000 after acquiring an additional 15,611 shares during the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Monster Beverage by 6.7% during the third quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 151,364 shares of the company's stock worth $7,897,000 after purchasing an additional 9,496 shares during the last quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Monster Beverage in the third quarter valued at $630,000. Diversified Trust Co bought a new position in shares of Monster Beverage in the fourth quarter valued at about $733,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in Monster Beverage by 18.1% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,898,127 shares of the company's stock worth $203,365,000 after buying an additional 596,078 shares in the last quarter. 72.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $53.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Argus raised their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Monster Beverage from $56.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $49.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $56.10.

Insider Buying and Selling at Monster Beverage

In related news, CFO Thomas J. Kelly sold 10,000 shares of Monster Beverage stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.65, for a total value of $526,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 74,924 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,944,748.60. This trade represents a 11.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 7.80% of the company's stock.

Monster Beverage Stock Down 0.5 %

MNST traded down $0.23 during trading on Friday, hitting $49.42. The company had a trading volume of 11,770,876 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,711,882. The company has a market capitalization of $48.06 billion, a PE ratio of 31.68, a PEG ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a quick ratio of 2.51, a current ratio of 3.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Monster Beverage Co. has a one year low of $43.32 and a one year high of $61.22. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $52.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $51.25.

Monster Beverage Company 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.