Avantax Advisory Services Inc. Has $1.72 Million Position in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Key Points

• Avantax Advisory Services Inc. significantly increased its holdings in Ambev S.A. by 2,502.6% during the first quarter, acquiring 710,842 additional shares, bringing their total to 739,246 shares worth $1.72 million.
• Ambev's recent earnings report showed a flat EPS of $0.04, meeting analysts' expectations, although reported revenue of $3.92 billion was below the expected $22.40 billion.
• The company recently cut its dividend, paying a dividend of $0.0219 with a notable yield of 500%, while its payout ratio stands at 68.75%.

Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Free Report) by 2,502.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 739,246 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 710,842 shares during the period. Avantax Advisory Services Inc.'s holdings in Ambev were worth $1,722,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of Ambev by 468.4% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 10,998 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 9,063 shares in the last quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Ambev during the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Generation Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Ambev during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ambev in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, M&T Bank Corp acquired a new position in Ambev in the first quarter worth about $30,000. 8.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on ABEV. HSBC reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Ambev in a report on Friday. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Ambev from $2.00 to $2.50 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Ambev from $2.60 to $2.70 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Morgan Stanley cut shares of Ambev from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen initiated coverage on Ambev in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $2.60.

Ambev Stock Performance

Ambev stock traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $2.22. 12,938,939 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 33,760,434. The company has a market cap of $34.90 billion, a PE ratio of 13.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Ambev S.A. has a one year low of $1.76 and a one year high of $2.63. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $2.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.27.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.03. Ambev had a return on equity of 15.39% and a net margin of 16.18%. The firm had revenue of $3.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $21.84 billion. On average, equities analysts forecast that Ambev S.A. will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a -- dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th were issued a dividend of $0.0219 per share. This represents a yield of 500.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 19th. Ambev's payout ratio is presently 68.75%.

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.