Schroder Investment Management Group Raises Position in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Schroder Investment Management Group increased its holdings in shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Free Report) by 72.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,851,890 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 2,454,195 shares during the period. Schroder Investment Management Group's holdings in Ambev were worth $10,826,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. IFP Advisors Inc raised its position in shares of Ambev by 7.5% during the fourth quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 84,868 shares of the company's stock worth $157,000 after acquiring an additional 5,900 shares during the last quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD lifted its position in shares of Ambev by 40.4% in the 4th quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD now owns 20,810 shares of the company's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 5,993 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR lifted its position in shares of Ambev by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 173,066 shares of the company's stock worth $320,000 after purchasing an additional 6,078 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its stake in shares of Ambev by 7.8% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 85,142 shares of the company's stock valued at $158,000 after purchasing an additional 6,164 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PDS Planning Inc increased its position in shares of Ambev by 18.3% during the fourth quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 41,244 shares of the company's stock worth $76,000 after buying an additional 6,374 shares during the period. 8.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Remove Ads

Ambev Stock Down 2.9 %

NYSE:ABEV traded down $0.07 on Tuesday, hitting $2.16. The stock had a trading volume of 39,242,587 shares, compared to its average volume of 26,717,911. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Ambev S.A. has a 52 week low of $1.76 and a 52 week high of $2.56. The business's fifty day moving average is $2.10 and its 200 day moving average is $2.12. The company has a market cap of $33.95 billion, a PE ratio of 11.97, a P/E/G ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.68.

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

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.0221 per share. This represents a $0.09 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.09%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 18th. Ambev's dividend payout ratio is currently 52.94%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on ABEV shares. Bank of America cut shares of Ambev from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Morgan Stanley cut Ambev from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating in a research note on Monday. Barclays cut their price target on Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Ambev in a research note on Monday, January 27th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Ambev in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $2.45.

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.