MML Investors Services LLC Purchases 13,649 Shares of Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST)

MML Investors Services LLC increased its stake in Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST - Free Report) by 8.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 182,134 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 13,649 shares during the quarter. MML Investors Services LLC's holdings in Monster Beverage were worth $9,502,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Stephens Consulting LLC purchased a new stake in Monster Beverage during the second quarter valued at $26,000. Kings Path Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Monster Beverage during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. purchased a new position in shares of Monster Beverage in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Quarry LP grew its position in Monster Beverage by 152.0% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 824 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 497 shares during the period. Finally, Crewe Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Monster Beverage by 37.5% during the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 850 shares of the company's stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.36% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on MNST. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Monster Beverage from $61.00 to $59.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Argus boosted 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. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $56.45.

Monster Beverage Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MNST traded down $0.91 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $52.10. 3,438,402 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,821,918. 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's 50-day moving average is $53.30 and its two-hundred day moving average is $51.04. The company has a market capitalization of $50.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.96, a PEG ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.74.

About Monster Beverage

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.