Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Given Average Recommendation of “Reduce” by Brokerages

Shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) have received a consensus rating of “Reduce” from the nine analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and eight have assigned a hold recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $2.35.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on ABEV. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Ambev from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Ambev in a research note on Saturday, September 27th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Ambev to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Ambev from $2.50 to $2.20 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, HSBC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Ambev in a research note on Friday, August 1st.

Ambev Trading Down 0.7%

ABEV opened at $2.18 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.85. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $2.24 and its 200-day moving average is $2.35. Ambev has a 52-week low of $1.76 and a 52-week high of $2.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.03. The company had revenue of $3.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.84 billion. Ambev had a net margin of 16.18% and a return on equity of 15.39%. Analysts expect that Ambev will post 0.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ambev Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a — dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.023 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 11th. This is a positive change from Ambev’s previous — dividend of $0.02. This represents a yield of 660.0%. Ambev’s payout ratio is presently 25.00%.

Institutional Trading of Ambev

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABEV. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in Ambev by 105.8% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 16,170,388 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,677,000 after purchasing an additional 8,312,561 shares during the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its position in shares of Ambev by 74.8% during the second quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 13,409,316 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,624,000 after acquiring an additional 5,740,155 shares during the last quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Ambev by 836.1% during the first quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 4,954,218 shares of the company’s stock worth $11,543,000 after acquiring an additional 4,424,987 shares during the last quarter. Walleye Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Ambev by 538.4% during the first quarter. Walleye Capital LLC now owns 5,242,702 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,215,000 after acquiring an additional 4,421,534 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of Ambev during the first quarter worth about $7,133,000. Institutional investors own 8.13% of the company’s stock.

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.