Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) Lowered to “Neutral” Rating by UBS Group

UBS Group lowered shares of Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report published on Tuesday, Marketbeat.com reports.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on ABEV. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Ambev from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Barclays cut their target price on Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Bank of America downgraded Ambev from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Citigroup reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Ambev in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Ambev in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $2.45.

Ambev Stock Performance

Shares of Ambev stock opened at $2.43 on Tuesday. Ambev has a 52 week low of $1.76 and a 52 week high of $2.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $2.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $2.12. The company has a market cap of $38.20 billion, a PE ratio of 13.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.68.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.05 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%. Equities analysts anticipate that Ambev will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th were paid a $0.0221 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 18th. This represents a $0.09 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.64%. Ambev’s payout ratio is presently 52.94%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ambev

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABEV. Altrius Capital Management Inc increased its stake in shares of Ambev by 13.3% in the first quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc now owns 4,058,686 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,457,000 after purchasing an additional 475,419 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in Ambev by 28.5% in the 1st quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 144,831 shares of the company’s stock worth $337,000 after buying an additional 32,131 shares during the period. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in Ambev by 22.1% in the 1st quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC now owns 38,457 shares of the company’s stock valued at $90,000 after buying an additional 6,949 shares in the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Ambev by 71.1% during the 1st quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 59,641 shares of the company’s stock valued at $139,000 after acquiring an additional 24,783 shares during the period. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its position in shares of Ambev by 4,989.1% during the first quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 838,883 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,955,000 after acquiring an additional 822,399 shares in the last quarter. 8.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ambev Company Profile

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.