Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) Receives Average Rating of "Hold" from Brokerages

Shares of Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of "Hold" from the twenty-one ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. 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. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $55.42.

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Needham & Company LLC started coverage on Monster Beverage in a research report on Friday, December 6th. They set a "hold" rating for the company. BNP Paribas cut their price target on Monster Beverage from $46.00 to $45.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Argus increased their price objective on Monster Beverage from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Monster Beverage from $56.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $49.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 4th.

Monster Beverage Price Performance

MNST traded up $0.14 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $46.30. 4,578,151 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,557,520. Monster Beverage has a 1-year low of $43.32 and a 1-year high of $61.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.03 billion, a PE ratio of 29.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 3.13 and a quick ratio of 2.51. The business's 50-day moving average price is $51.20 and its 200 day moving average price is $51.10.

Insider Transactions at Monster Beverage

In other news, CFO Thomas J. Kelly sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.65, for a total value of $526,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 74,924 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,944,748.60. This represents a 11.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 7.80% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MNST. Algert Global LLC purchased a new position in shares of Monster Beverage in the second quarter valued at $234,000. Quarry LP boosted its position in Monster Beverage by 152.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 824 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 497 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund grew its stake in shares of Monster Beverage by 318.6% during the second quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 104,857 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,238,000 after acquiring an additional 79,809 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank increased its position in shares of Monster Beverage by 6.3% during the third quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 143,671 shares of the company's stock worth $7,495,000 after acquiring an additional 8,510 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its stake in shares of Monster Beverage by 1.3% in the third quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 263,250 shares of the company's stock worth $13,734,000 after acquiring an additional 3,451 shares in the last quarter. 72.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.