Private Management Group Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Private Management Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Free Report) by 8.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,512,234 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 1,083,882 shares during the period. Private Management Group Inc. owned 0.09% of Ambev worth $26,848,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ABEV. MCIA Inc acquired a new position in shares of Ambev during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Insight Inv LLC acquired a new position in Ambev in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. HTLF Bank purchased a new position in Ambev in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Ambev in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in Ambev during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. 8.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Citigroup reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Ambev in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Bank of America cut Ambev from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Ambev in a report on Monday, January 27th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Ambev presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $2.45.

Ambev Trading Down 0.3 %

ABEV stock traded down $0.01 during trading on Friday, reaching $1.84. 47,938,742 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 43,931,848. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.19, a P/E/G ratio of 5.56 and a beta of 1.04. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $1.94 and a 200-day moving average price of $2.16. Ambev S.A. has a 1 year low of $1.76 and a 1 year high of $2.72.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 23rd were given a dividend of $0.0414 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.93%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 23rd. Ambev's payout ratio is presently 38.89%.

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.