National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) Stock Price Up 4.9% – Time to Buy?

Shares of National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) rose 4.9% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $42.70 and last traded at $42.87. Approximately 175,806 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 4% from the average daily volume of 169,829 shares. The stock had previously closed at $40.87.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of National Beverage from $46.00 to $41.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th.

National Beverage Stock Up 4.1 %

The company has a market capitalization of $3.98 billion, a PE ratio of 21.39 and a beta of 0.87. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $41.45 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $44.67.

National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 6th. The company reported $0.42 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.45 by ($0.03). National Beverage had a net margin of 15.63% and a return on equity of 42.80%. The company had revenue of $267.05 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $282.22 million.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Cecil D. Conlee sold 2,736 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.01, for a total value of $128,619.36. Following the sale, the director now owns 53,744 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,526,505.44. This trade represents a 4.84 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 74.80% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Beverage

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Covestor Ltd boosted its position in shares of National Beverage by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,994 shares of the company’s stock valued at $128,000 after acquiring an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 11,547 shares of the company’s stock worth $528,000 after buying an additional 383 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 38.3% in the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,499 shares of the company’s stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in shares of National Beverage by 8.1% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 5,661 shares of the company’s stock valued at $242,000 after buying an additional 425 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 13,353 shares of the company’s stock worth $570,000 after acquiring an additional 451 shares during the last quarter. 23.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About National Beverage

National Beverage Corp., through its subsidiaries, develops, produces, markets, and sells a portfolio of sparkling waters, juices, energy drinks, and carbonated soft drinks primarily in the United States and Canada. The company's Power+ brand portfolio offers sparkling water products under the LaCroix, LaCroix Cúrate, and LaCroix NiCola; non-carbonated flavored water under the Clear Fruit; energy drink and shots under the Rip It; juice and juice-based products under Everfresh, Everfresh Premier Varietals, and Mr.