Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Shares Bought by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Free Report) by 2.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,823,857 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 173,932 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP's holdings in Ambev were worth $14,475,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Insight Inv LLC bought a new position in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Naviter Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Ambev in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Generation Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Ambev in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new position in Ambev in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Ambev by 51.4% in the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 17,084 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 5,798 shares during the period. 8.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on ABEV shares. UBS Group downgraded shares of Ambev from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Citigroup reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Ambev in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Ambev in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Bank of America downgraded shares of Ambev from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Ambev from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday, April 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ambev has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $2.70.

Ambev Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ABEV traded up $0.02 on Wednesday, hitting $2.54. 8,256,838 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 29,180,513. Ambev S.A. has a 1-year low of $1.76 and a 1-year high of $2.64. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $2.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $2.13. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $39.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.80.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates of $0.04. The company had revenue of $3.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $22.40 billion. Ambev had a net margin of 17.02% and a return on equity of 16.12%. Sell-side analysts predict that Ambev S.A. will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a -- dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 17th. Investors of record on Monday, May 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.0219 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 19th. This represents a yield of 5%. Ambev's dividend payout ratio is presently 56.25%.

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.