2,978 Shares in Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ) Acquired by China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.

China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 2,978 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $547,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Piscataqua Savings Bank lifted its holdings in Constellation Brands by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Piscataqua Savings Bank now owns 3,720 shares of the company's stock valued at $683,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC grew its position in shares of Constellation Brands by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 1,128 shares of the company's stock valued at $207,000 after buying an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors boosted its stake in Constellation Brands by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 3,801 shares of the company's stock valued at $698,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Moody National Bank Trust Division increased its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 0.9% during the first quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 6,991 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,283,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the period. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 2,242 shares of the company's stock worth $412,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.34% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Constellation Brands from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their price objective for the company from $194.00 to $205.00 in a research note on Monday. Raymond James Financial raised shares of Constellation Brands to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday. Bernstein Bank cut their price target on Constellation Brands from $260.00 to $225.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Constellation Brands from $289.00 to $233.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Constellation Brands from $260.00 to $215.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Constellation Brands presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $213.74.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Samuel J. Glaetzer sold 3,150 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction that occurred 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 owned 3,126 shares in the company, valued at approximately $589,376.04. This trade represents a 50.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 12.45% of the company's stock.

Constellation Brands Stock Performance

NYSE STZ opened at $170.71 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $176.49 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $182.54. Constellation Brands Inc has a 12-month low of $159.35 and a 12-month high of $264.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. The firm has a market cap of $30.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -71.43, a PEG ratio of 9.48 and a beta of 0.67.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 1st. The company reported $3.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.45 by ($0.23). The company had revenue of $2.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.57 billion. Constellation Brands had a negative net margin of 4.11% and a positive return on equity of 31.41%. The business's revenue was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.57 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Constellation Brands Inc will post 13.5 EPS for the current year.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 30th will be issued a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 30th. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.39%. Constellation Brands's dividend payout ratio is currently -170.71%.

Constellation Brands 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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