Banque Cantonale Vaudoise Makes New $1.62 Million Investment in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Key Points

• Banque Cantonale Vaudoise has acquired 693,600 shares of Ambev S.A., representing a new position valued at approximately $1.6 million, as per its recent SEC filing.
• Ambev's recent earnings report showed earnings per share of $0.04, meeting consensus estimates, with quarterly revenue reported at $3.92 billion.
• The company declared a recent dividend yield of 5%, with a payout ratio of 68.75%, though the dividend was reduced in the latest payment cycle.

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 693,600 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,616,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ABEV. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its holdings in Ambev by 9.1% during the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 108,271 shares of the company's stock valued at $200,000 after buying an additional 9,040 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in Ambev by 6.4% during the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,232,357 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,130,000 after buying an additional 135,132 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in Ambev by 36.8% during the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 808,204 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,495,000 after buying an additional 217,527 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp purchased a new position in Ambev during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $584,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Ambev by 2,385.2% in the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,005,614 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,710,000 after acquiring an additional 1,924,912 shares in the last quarter. 8.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ambev Stock Performance

Shares of ABEV traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $2.19. 39,753,826 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 31,088,246. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.69, a P/E/G 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 12-month low of $1.76 and a 12-month high of $2.63. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $2.41 and a 200-day moving average price of $2.27.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.03. Ambev had a net margin of 16.18% and a return on equity of 15.15%. The company had revenue of $3.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.84 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that Ambev S.A. will post 0.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Ambev from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating in a research note on Monday, April 7th. HSBC restated a "hold" rating on shares of Ambev in a research note on Friday. Wall Street Zen assumed coverage on shares of Ambev in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Ambev from $2.00 to $2.50 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Ambev from $2.60 to $2.70 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ambev has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $2.60.

Ambev Company Profile

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.