MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB Trims Stock Position in Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST)

MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lessened its position in Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST - Free Report) by 69.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 30,060 shares of the company's stock after selling 69,701 shares during the quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB's holdings in Monster Beverage were worth $1,580,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake 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 purchasing an additional 15,611 shares during the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its position in 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 acquiring an additional 9,496 shares during the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Monster Beverage during the 4th quarter valued at about $7,090,000. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Monster Beverage in the 3rd quarter valued at about $630,000. Finally, Diversified Trust Co purchased a new position in Monster Beverage in the 4th quarter worth approximately $733,000. 72.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Monster Beverage Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of Monster Beverage stock traded down $0.32 on Tuesday, reaching $49.10. 6,275,492 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,748,550. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $52.67 and its 200-day moving average price is $51.27. 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 $61.22. The company has a market cap of $47.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.74.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Thomas J. Kelly sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.65, for a total value of $526,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 74,924 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,944,748.60. This represents a 11.78 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 7.80% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Bank of America lifted their price target on Monster Beverage from $56.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $49.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 4th. BNP Paribas reduced their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $46.00 to $45.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on Monster Beverage from $61.00 to $59.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $55.47.

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.