Perpetual Ltd Increases Holdings in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Perpetual Ltd lifted its position in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) by 3.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,134,940 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 105,819 shares during the period. Perpetual Ltd’s holdings in Ambev were worth $5,800,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of ABEV. MCIA Inc bought a new position in Ambev in the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. HTLF Bank bought a new position in Ambev in the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Ambev during the third quarter valued at $29,000. Riversedge Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Ambev during the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Foster Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Ambev in the third quarter worth about $33,000. Institutional investors own 8.13% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on ABEV. Barclays lowered their price objective on Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Ambev in a research report on Sunday. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Bank of America downgraded shares of Ambev from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Ambev currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $2.45.

Ambev Stock Up 2.5 %

Shares of ABEV opened at $1.83 on Wednesday. Ambev S.A. has a 12-month low of $1.76 and a 12-month high of $2.72. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The company has a market capitalization of $28.75 billion, a PE ratio of 10.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.23 and a beta of 1.05. The business’s 50 day moving average is $2.04 and its 200 day moving average is $2.19.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 23rd were issued a $0.0414 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 23rd. Ambev’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.33%.

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.