Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Reduce" by Analysts

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of "Reduce" from the five ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $2.60.

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Ambev from $2.00 to $2.50 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. UBS Group upped their price target on Ambev from $2.60 to $2.70 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Wall Street Zen initiated coverage on shares of Ambev in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley downgraded Ambev from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating in a research report on Monday, April 7th.

Ambev Stock Performance

ABEV stock traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $2.41. The company's stock had a trading volume of 50,636,801 shares, compared to its average volume of 30,026,046. The stock has a market cap of $37.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.03, a PEG ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.76. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $2.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $2.19. 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 has a 1 year low of $1.76 and a 1 year high of $2.64.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.04. The business had revenue of $3.92 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.40 billion. Ambev had a return on equity of 14.74% and a net margin of 15.76%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Ambev will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a -- dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be given a dividend of $0.0219 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 19th. This represents a dividend yield of 5%. Ambev's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 68.75%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ambev

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Ambev by 468.4% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 10,998 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 9,063 shares during the period. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new stake in Ambev in the first quarter valued at $26,000. Perigon Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Ambev during the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Generation Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Ambev in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Finally, U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ambev in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Hedge funds and other 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.