BNP Paribas Cuts Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST) Price Target to $45.00

Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST - Get Free Report) had its target price reduced by equities research analysts at BNP Paribas from $46.00 to $45.00 in a report issued on Thursday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has an "underperform" rating on the stock. BNP Paribas' target price points to a potential downside of 11.59% from the stock's previous close.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on MNST. Argus boosted their target price on Monster Beverage from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Monster Beverage from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America increased their price target on 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. reduced their price objective on Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $49.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Monster Beverage has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $56.30.

Monster Beverage Price Performance

Shares of Monster Beverage stock traded down $0.64 on Thursday, reaching $50.90. 7,096,835 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,776,857. The firm's 50 day moving average is $53.56 and its 200-day moving average is $51.06. The firm has a market cap of $49.50 billion, a PE ratio of 32.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 2.51 and a current ratio of 3.13. Monster Beverage has a one year low of $43.32 and a one year high of $61.22.

Insider Activity at Monster Beverage

In other Monster Beverage news, CFO Thomas J. Kelly sold 10,000 shares of the firm's 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 directly owns 74,924 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,944,748.60. This trade represents a 11.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 7.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Monster Beverage

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Stephens Consulting LLC acquired a new position in Monster Beverage during the second quarter worth $26,000. Kings Path Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Monster Beverage during the second quarter worth about $30,000. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Monster Beverage in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Quarry LP lifted 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 acquiring an additional 497 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Crewe Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Monster Beverage by 37.5% during the 2nd quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 850 shares of the company's stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.36% of the company's stock.

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.