National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results

Key Points

• National Beverage reported quarterly EPS of $0.50, missing the $0.59 consensus estimate by $0.09. The company posted a 32.20% return on equity and a 15.56% net margin.
• Shares closed at $30.91, near the company’s one-year low of $30.01, while National Beverage paid a $3.25 per-share special dividend to eligible shareholders.
• Analyst sentiment remains negative: Weiss Ratings downgraded the stock to “sell,” UBS reiterated its “sell” rating, and the consensus price target is $32.00.

National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ - Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.59 by ($0.09), Zacks reports. National Beverage had a return on equity of 32.20% and a net margin of 15.56%.

National Beverage Stock Performance

Shares of National Beverage stock traded up $0.37 on Thursday, reaching $30.91. 352,381 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 340,086. The firm's 50 day moving average is $31.88 and its 200-day moving average is $33.88. National Beverage has a one year low of $30.01 and a one year high of $40.65. The firm has a market cap of $2.89 billion, a PE ratio of 15.77 and a beta of 0.78.

National Beverage Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a special dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 13th were issued a dividend of $3.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 13th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in National Beverage by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 191,927 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,121,000 after purchasing an additional 5,934 shares during the last quarter. Vident Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of National Beverage in the fourth quarter worth approximately $588,000. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury lifted its position in shares of National Beverage by 102.1% in the 4th quarter. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury now owns 11,635 shares of the company's stock worth $397,000 after purchasing an additional 5,879 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in National Beverage in the fourth quarter valued at $249,000. Finally, Voloridge Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in National Beverage by 960.6% during the 4th quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 107,944 shares of the company's stock worth $3,442,000 after acquiring an additional 97,766 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 23.95% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of National Beverage from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research report on Tuesday. UBS Group reiterated a "sell" rating and set a $32.00 target price (down from $33.00) on shares of National Beverage in a research note on Friday, September 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, National Beverage currently has an average rating of "Sell" and a consensus price target of $32.00.

About National Beverage

National Beverage Corp. NASDAQ: FIZZ is a U.S.-based beverage company specializing in the development, marketing and production of nonalcoholic refreshment products. The company's portfolio includes a range of sparkling waters, soft drinks and energy beverages designed for a variety of consumer tastes and dietary preferences. Through in-house bottling operations and strategic partnerships with co-packers, National Beverage manages production from flavor formulation to final packaging and distribution.

Founded in 1985, National Beverage has broadened its product lineup over the decades through both organic brand introductions and selective acquisitions.

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