Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:KOF) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:KOF - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 146,600 shares, a drop of 39.8% from the April 30th total of 243,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 223,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days. Approximately 0.3% of the company's stock are sold short.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Coca-Cola FEMSA

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Coca-Cola FEMSA in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its stake in Coca-Cola FEMSA by 1,388.9% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 402 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. Wayfinding Financial LLC bought a new position in Coca-Cola FEMSA in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Banque de Luxembourg S.A. bought a new position in Coca-Cola FEMSA in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. bought a new position in Coca-Cola FEMSA in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $43,000.

Coca-Cola FEMSA Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:KOF traded down $1.04 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $96.41. The stock had a trading volume of 344,036 shares, compared to its average volume of 193,129. The company's 50-day moving average price is $94.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $85.95. The company has a market capitalization of $162.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Coca-Cola FEMSA has a fifty-two week low of $72.68 and a fifty-two week high of $101.74.

Coca-Cola FEMSA (NYSE:KOF - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $3.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.44 billion. Coca-Cola FEMSA had a net margin of 8.12% and a return on equity of 15.99%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Coca-Cola FEMSA will post 5.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Coca-Cola FEMSA Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 22nd were given a $0.8839 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 22nd. This is a boost from Coca-Cola FEMSA's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.74. This represents a dividend yield of 3.1%. Coca-Cola FEMSA's payout ratio is presently 13.76%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on KOF shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Coca-Cola FEMSA from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, May 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola FEMSA from $107.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Coca-Cola FEMSA from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola FEMSA from $99.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Coca-Cola FEMSA from $106.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $106.50.

About Coca-Cola FEMSA

Coca-Cola FEMSA, SAB. de C.V., a franchise bottler, produces, markets, sells, and distributes Coca-Cola trademark beverages in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. The company offers sparkling beverages, including colas and flavored sparkling beverages; waters; other non-carbonated beverages comprising juice drinks, coffee, teas, milk, value-added dairy products, sports and energy drinks, and plant-based drinks; and alcoholic beverages, such as hard seltzer under the Topo Chico brand name.