Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Shares Sold by Northern Trust Corp

Northern Trust Corp cut its holdings in shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Free Report) by 19.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,587,015 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,625,506 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp's holdings in Ambev were worth $12,186,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of ABEV. GQG Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Ambev by 51.9% in the 4th quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 196,676,003 shares of the company's stock worth $363,851,000 after buying an additional 67,180,274 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in Ambev by 1,641.9% in the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 19,001,985 shares of the company's stock worth $35,154,000 after buying an additional 17,911,122 shares during the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co lifted its stake in Ambev by 101.1% in the 4th quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 15,639,612 shares of the company's stock worth $29,512,000 after purchasing an additional 7,862,672 shares in the last quarter. FIL Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter worth approximately $13,412,000. Finally, CORDA Investment Management LLC. acquired a new position in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter worth approximately $11,987,000. 8.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America cut Ambev from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Ambev in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Citigroup restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Ambev in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley cut Ambev from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on Ambev from $2.00 to $2.50 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. One equities 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $2.70.

Ambev Stock Up 0.6%

ABEV stock opened at $2.56 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $40.26 billion, a PE ratio of 14.19, a PEG ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.20. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $2.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.14. Ambev S.A. has a one year low of $1.76 and a one year high of $2.64.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.04. The firm had revenue of $3.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.40 billion. Ambev had a net margin of 17.02% and a return on equity of 16.12%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Ambev S.A. will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared 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. This represents a dividend yield of 5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 19th. Ambev's payout ratio is presently 56.25%.

Ambev 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.

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