Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Short Interest Up 47.2% in July

Key Points

• Ambev S.A. experienced a significant increase in short interest, rising by 47.2% to a total of 75.6 million shares as of July 31st.
• The company reported earnings per share of $0.03 for the last quarter, meeting analysts' expectations, with revenues totaling $3.59 billion.
• Ambev recently announced a increased dividend of $0.023 per share, yielding 660.0%, with the payment scheduled for October 14th.

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 75,600,000 shares, anincreaseof47.2% from the July 15th total of 51,360,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 29,810,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.5 days. Approximately0.5% of the company's stock are short sold. Approximately0.5% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 29,810,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.5 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ambev

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. acquired a new position in Ambev in the first quarter worth about $925,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in Ambev by 14.4% in the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 339,069 shares of the company's stock worth $790,000 after purchasing an additional 42,722 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Ambev by 46.8% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 99,571 shares of the company's stock worth $232,000 after purchasing an additional 31,746 shares in the last quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc grew its stake in Ambev by 13.3% in the first quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc now owns 4,058,686 shares of the company's stock worth $9,457,000 after purchasing an additional 475,419 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Private Management Group Inc. grew its stake in Ambev by 6.4% in the first quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 15,439,216 shares of the company's stock worth $35,973,000 after purchasing an additional 926,982 shares in the last quarter. 8.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on ABEV. HSBC reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Ambev in a report on Friday, August 1st. Hsbc Global Res upgraded Ambev to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Barclays increased their price target on Ambev from $2.00 to $2.50 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on Ambev from $2.50 to $2.20 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ambev presently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and an average price target of $2.35.

Ambev Stock Up 1.6%

Shares of Ambev stock traded up $0.0350 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $2.2250. 16,212,793 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 26,252,100. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $2.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The company has a market cap of $35.06 billion, a PE ratio of 13.91, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.74. Ambev has a twelve month low of $1.76 and a twelve month high of $2.63.

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

Ambev Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a -- dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 14th. Investors of record on Monday, August 11th will be paid a $0.023 dividend. This represents a yield of 660.0%. This is a positive change from Ambev's previous -- dividend of $0.02. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 11th. Ambev's payout ratio is 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.