Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Short Interest Update

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 target of a large growth in short interest in the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 75,600,000 shares, agrowthof47.2% from the July 15th total of 51,360,000 shares. Currently,0.5% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 29,810,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 29,810,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days. Currently,0.5% of the company's shares are short sold.

Ambev Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of NYSE:ABEV traded down $0.0250 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $2.1650. 29,161,337 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 33,080,914. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.53, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.74. Ambev has a 52-week low of $1.76 and a 52-week high of $2.63. 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 business's fifty day moving average is $2.35 and its 200-day moving average is $2.31.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates 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%. As a group, analysts forecast that Ambev will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Ambev Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a -- dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 11th will be issued 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 dividend payout ratio is currently 25.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen assumed coverage on shares of Ambev in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. They set a "buy" rating for the company. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Ambev from $2.60 to $2.70 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. HSBC reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Ambev in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Barclays boosted their price objective on Ambev from $2.00 to $2.50 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res upgraded Ambev to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and a consensus target price of $2.60.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ambev

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABEV. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in shares of Ambev by 9.9% in the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 27,505,192 shares of the company's stock worth $66,288,000 after acquiring an additional 2,479,310 shares during the last quarter. Talaria Asset Management Pty Ltd purchased a new position in Ambev in the fourth quarter worth about $38,602,000. Two Sigma Advisers LP raised its stake in shares of Ambev by 329.6% in the fourth quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 16,354,000 shares of the company's stock worth $30,255,000 after buying an additional 12,546,800 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Ambev by 105.8% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 16,170,388 shares of the company's stock worth $37,677,000 after buying an additional 8,312,561 shares during the period. Finally, Private Management Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 926,982 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 8.13% of the company's stock.

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.

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