Stephens Inc. AR Trims Holdings in Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ)

Stephens Inc. AR trimmed its position in Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ - Free Report) by 75.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,541 shares of the company's stock after selling 37,886 shares during the quarter. Stephens Inc. AR's holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $2,302,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of STZ. Minot DeBlois Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Optiver Holding B.V. bought a new stake in Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Constellation Brands during the first quarter worth about $32,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. increased its position in Constellation Brands by 805.0% during the first quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 181 shares of the company's stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares during the period. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter valued at $44,000. 77.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Constellation Brands

In other news, EVP Samuel J. Glaetzer sold 3,150 shares of the business'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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 3,126 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $589,376.04. The trade was a 50.19% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 12.45% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Constellation Brands Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE STZ traded up $3.02 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $171.14. The company had a trading volume of 1,260,426 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,933,480. The company has a market capitalization of $30.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -71.60, a P/E/G ratio of 10.05 and a beta of 1.75. Constellation Brands Inc has a 1 year low of $159.35 and a 1 year high of $261.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $174.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $180.51.

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 for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.45 by ($0.23). The company had revenue of $2.52 billion during 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%. Constellation Brands's revenue for the quarter was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.57 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Constellation Brands Inc will post 13.5 earnings per share for the current year.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have weighed in on STZ. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Constellation Brands from $170.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. Raymond James Financial raised Constellation Brands to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 7th. DA Davidson lowered their target price on Constellation Brands from $272.00 to $241.00 in a report on Friday, April 11th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Constellation Brands from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price target for the company from $194.00 to $205.00 in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Finally, Roth Mkm cut their price target on Constellation Brands from $284.00 to $256.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $213.74.

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.