Aurora Investment Counsel Invests $3.35 Million in Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ)

Aurora Investment Counsel bought a new stake in Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 18,278 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,354,000. Constellation Brands accounts for approximately 1.9% of Aurora Investment Counsel's investment portfolio, making the stock its largest holding.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have weighed in on STZ shares. Wall Street Zen raised Constellation Brands from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Constellation Brands from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their target price for the company from $194.00 to $205.00 in a report on Monday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Constellation Brands from $202.00 to $195.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Barclays set a $202.00 target price on Constellation Brands and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, June 26th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on Constellation Brands from $195.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Constellation Brands presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $213.74.

Constellation Brands Trading Up 2.1%

NYSE STZ traded up $3.61 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $171.73. 2,362,132 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,939,569. The business's 50 day moving average is $173.86 and its 200-day moving average is $180.18. Constellation Brands Inc has a 12-month low of $159.35 and a 12-month high of $261.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.27 billion, a P/E ratio of -71.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.18 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 1.07.

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

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 30th will be issued a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 30th. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.38%. Constellation Brands's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -170.71%.

Insider Activity at Constellation Brands

In other news, EVP Samuel J. Glaetzer sold 3,150 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $188.54, for a total value of $593,901.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,126 shares in the company, valued at $589,376.04. This trade represents a 50.19% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 12.45% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.