Foresight Global Investors Inc. Raises Holdings in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Foresight Global Investors Inc. raised its holdings in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) by 41.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,528,050 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,028,050 shares during the quarter. Ambev accounts for 4.8% of Foresight Global Investors Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Foresight Global Investors Inc.’s holdings in Ambev were worth $6,527,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. MCIA Inc bought a new position in Ambev during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Insight Inv LLC bought a new position in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Naviter Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ambev in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Angeles Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Ambev in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 8.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on ABEV. Bank of America lowered Ambev from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Ambev in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. 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 note on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Ambev in a research report on Monday, January 27th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ambev currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $2.45.

Ambev Stock Performance

NYSE:ABEV opened at $2.35 on Wednesday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $1.95 and its 200 day moving average is $2.12. The firm has a market cap of $36.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.03, a PEG ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.20. Ambev S.A. has a 52-week low of $1.76 and a 52-week high of $2.56.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) 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). Ambev had a net margin of 17.02% and a return on equity of 16.12%. The company had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.42 billion. Research analysts predict that Ambev S.A. will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be paid a $0.0221 dividend. This represents a $0.09 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.76%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 18th. Ambev’s dividend payout ratio is presently 52.94%.

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.