Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ - Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,100,000 shares, a decrease of 13.4% from the April 30th total of 5,890,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,280,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.2 days. Approximately 3.7% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Constellation Brands Trading Up 0.2%

NYSE STZ traded up $0.31 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $176.98. 1,226,800 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,780,046. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.46. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $184.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $194.64. The firm has a market cap of $31.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.58, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.75. Constellation Brands has a 12-month low of $160.46 and a 12-month high of $265.70.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 9th. The company reported $2.63 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.28 by $0.35. Constellation Brands had a net margin of 6.27% and a return on equity of 26.55%. The firm had revenue of $2.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.14 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.26 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Constellation Brands will post 13.5 EPS for the current year.

Constellation Brands Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 29th were issued a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 29th. This is an increase from Constellation Brands's previous quarterly dividend of $1.01. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.31%. Constellation Brands's payout ratio is presently -800.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Constellation Brands news, EVP Samuel J. Glaetzer sold 3,150 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $188.54, for a total transaction of $593,901.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 3,126 shares of the company's stock, valued at $589,376.04. This represents a 50.19% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 12.19% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Constellation Brands

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mainstream Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Minot DeBlois Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. 77.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on STZ shares. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $215.00 price objective on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $230.00 to $210.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $289.00 to $233.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on Constellation Brands from $260.00 to $225.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Constellation Brands from $260.00 to $215.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Constellation Brands currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $225.74.

Constellation Brands Company Profile

Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Familiar, Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Light, Corona Non-Alcoholic, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, Modelo Especial, Modelo Chelada, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.

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