Morgan Stanley Downgrades Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) to Underweight

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Morgan Stanley from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports.

Several other equities analysts also recently commented on ABEV. Citigroup reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Ambev in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Bank of America cut shares of Ambev from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Ambev in a report on Monday, January 27th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ambev currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $2.45.

Ambev Price Performance

Shares of ABEV stock traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $2.25. The stock had a trading volume of 23,886,390 shares, compared to its average volume of 26,923,234. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.47, a PEG ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.68. Ambev has a one year low of $1.76 and a one year high of $2.56. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $2.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.89.

Remove Ads

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.06 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.42 billion. Ambev had a return on equity of 16.12% and a net margin of 17.02%. Equities analysts forecast that Ambev will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ambev

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Insight Inv LLC purchased a new position in Ambev in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in Ambev by 468.4% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 10,998 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 9,063 shares during the last quarter. Generation Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Ambev in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Naviter Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ambev during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ambev during the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.13% of the company's stock.

About Ambev

Ambev SA, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and sale of beer, draft beer, carbonated soft drinks, malt and food, other alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic and non-carbonated products in Brazil, Central America and Caribbean, Latin America South, and Canada. It offers beer primarily under the Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Brahva, Budweiser, Bud Light, Beck, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Balboa ICE, Balboa, Atlas Golden Light, Atlas, Bucanero, Cristal, Mayabe, Presidente, Presidente Light, Brahma Light, Bohemia, The One, Corona, Modelo Especial, Stella Artois, Quilmes Clásica, Paceña, Taquiña, Huari, Becker, Cusqueña, Michelob Ultra, Busch, Pilsen, Ouro Fino, Bud 66, Banks, Deputy, Patricia, Labatt Blue, Alexander Keith's, and Kokanee brands.