Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Key Points

• Ambev S.A. saw a 30.6% increase in short interest in August, with a total of 72,130,000 shares shorted as of August 31st.
• Institutional investors have shown strong interest, with notable increases in holdings from firms like Two Sigma Investments LP and Point72 Asset Management.
• The company reported stable earnings of $0.03 per share in its last quarterly results, matching analyst expectations.

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 72,130,000 shares, an increase of 30.6% from the August 15th total of 55,240,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 32,510,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.2 days. Approximately 0.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Approximately 0.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 32,510,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.2 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ambev

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. State of Wyoming grew its holdings in shares of Ambev by 11.3% during the first quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 39,606 shares of the company's stock valued at $92,000 after purchasing an additional 4,030 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ambev by 63.2% during the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 12,712 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 4,924 shares during the last quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ambev by 7.5% during the second quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC now owns 75,205 shares of the company's stock valued at $181,000 after purchasing an additional 5,250 shares during the last quarter. Tranquilli Financial Advisor LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ambev by 37.3% during the first quarter. Tranquilli Financial Advisor LLC now owns 20,943 shares of the company's stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 5,685 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renasant Bank grew its holdings in shares of Ambev by 32.9% during the first quarter. Renasant Bank now owns 24,690 shares of the company's stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 6,114 shares during the last quarter. 8.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ABEV has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Ambev from $2.50 to $2.20 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. HSBC reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Ambev in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Hsbc Global Res upgraded Ambev to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average target price of $2.35.

Ambev Stock Up 0.4%

Ambev stock traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $2.31. The stock had a trading volume of 50,256,482 shares, compared to its average volume of 36,635,856. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The stock has a market cap of $36.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.84. Ambev has a 12 month low of $1.76 and a 12 month high of $2.63. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $2.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.35.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.03. The firm had revenue of $3.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.84 billion. Ambev had a return on equity of 15.39% and a net margin of 16.18%. Research analysts predict that Ambev will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Ambev Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a -- dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.023 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 660.0%. This is a boost from Ambev's previous -- dividend of $0.02. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 11th. Ambev's dividend payout ratio is currently 31.25%.

About Ambev

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.