MQS Management LLC Takes Position in Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ)

MQS Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 3,036 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $557,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of STZ. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in Constellation Brands by 23.0% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 1,001 shares of the company's stock valued at $221,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the period. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG grew its holdings in shares of Constellation Brands by 39.7% during the 4th quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 6,096 shares of the company's stock worth $1,347,000 after acquiring an additional 1,733 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,119,000. AlphaQuest LLC grew its holdings in shares of Constellation Brands by 110,400.0% during the 4th quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 1,105 shares of the company's stock worth $244,000 after acquiring an additional 1,104 shares during the period. Finally, PFG Advisors grew its holdings in shares of Constellation Brands by 12.4% during the 4th quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 1,882 shares of the company's stock worth $416,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.34% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on STZ. Bernstein Bank reduced their target price on Constellation Brands from $260.00 to $225.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Barclays set a $202.00 target price on Constellation Brands and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, June 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $225.00 target price on Constellation Brands and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, June 27th. CJS Securities reduced their target price on Constellation Brands from $196.00 to $194.00 in a report on Monday, May 19th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Constellation Brands from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Constellation Brands currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $213.74.

Constellation Brands Stock Up 0.1%

STZ stock traded up $0.15 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $172.27. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,370,929 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,926,059. The company has a market cap of $30.67 billion, a PE ratio of -72.08, a P/E/G ratio of 10.42 and a beta of 0.67. Constellation Brands Inc has a 12 month low of $159.35 and a 12 month 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 firm's 50-day moving average is $175.56 and its 200-day moving average is $181.40.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 1st. The company reported $3.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.45 by ($0.23). The business had revenue of $2.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 last year, the company posted $3.57 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Constellation Brands Inc will post 13.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 30th will be given a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 30th. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.37%. Constellation Brands's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -170.71%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Constellation Brands

In other news, EVP Samuel J. Glaetzer sold 3,150 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 directly owned 3,126 shares of the company's stock, valued at $589,376.04. This represents a 50.19% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 12.45% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Constellation Brands

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.