Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC Grows Stock Position in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) by 5.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,614,210 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 880,763 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.12% of Ambev worth $34,436,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

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

Ambev Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE:ABEV opened at $2.28 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $35.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.64, a PEG ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.94. Ambev S.A. has a 12-month low of $1.76 and a 12-month high of $2.56. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $2.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02.

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

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be paid a $0.0221 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 18th. This represents a $0.09 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.88%. Ambev’s payout ratio is presently 52.94%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on ABEV. Bank of America downgraded Ambev from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Citigroup restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Ambev in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Ambev in a report on Monday, January 27th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price 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.