Short Interest in National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) Expands By 6.7%

National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,080,000 shares, an increase of 6.7% from the June 30th total of 1,950,000 shares. Currently, 9.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 201,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 10.3 days.

National Beverage Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of National Beverage stock traded down $0.62 during trading on Thursday, reaching $48.17. 26,861 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 176,281. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $48.71 and its 200 day moving average is $48.08. The firm has a market cap of $4.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.81 and a beta of 0.84. National Beverage has a 1 year low of $42.85 and a 1 year high of $55.12.

National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, June 26th. The company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.47. National Beverage had a net margin of 14.83% and a return on equity of 36.10%. The firm had revenue of $297.32 million during the quarter.

National Beverage Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 24th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 24th were issued a dividend of $3.25 per share. This is a positive change from National Beverage’s previous dividend of $3.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 24th.

Insider Transactions at National Beverage

In related news, Director Cecil D. Conlee sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.11, for a total value of $501,100.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 56,480 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,830,212.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Stanley Michael Sheridan sold 16,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.81, for a total value of $828,960.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 76,508 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,963,879.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Cecil D. Conlee sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.11, for a total value of $501,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 56,480 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,830,212.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 75.00% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Beverage

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 77.3% during the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 99,399 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,942,000 after buying an additional 43,349 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,751,778 shares of the company’s stock valued at $136,818,000 after buying an additional 49,441 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,101,778 shares of the company’s stock valued at $54,780,000 after buying an additional 39,985 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of National Beverage during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of National Beverage by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 21,615 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,026,000 after purchasing an additional 815 shares in the last quarter. 23.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, UBS Group raised their price objective on National Beverage from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, June 28th.

National Beverage Company Profile

National Beverage Corp., through its subsidiaries, develops, produces, markets, and sells a portfolio of sparkling waters, juices, energy drinks, and carbonated soft drinks primarily in the United States and Canada. The company's Power+ brand portfolio offers sparkling water products under the LaCroix, LaCroix Cúrate, and LaCroix NiCola; non-carbonated flavored water under the Clear Fruit; energy drink and shots under the Rip It; juice and juice-based products under Everfresh, Everfresh Premier Varietals, and Mr.