Natixis Advisors LLC Sells 423,598 Shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Key Points

• Natixis Advisors LLC reduced its stake in Ambev S.A. by 26.1%, now holding 1,199,484 shares valued at approximately $2.80 million.
• Several institutional investors, including GAMMA Investing LLC and Perigon Wealth Management LLC, have recently modified their positions, reflecting a 468.4% increase in GAMMA's stake.
• Ambev announced a dividend increase to $0.023 per share, payable on October 14th, representing a yield of 660.0%, with a payout ratio of 68.75%.

Natixis Advisors LLC cut its holdings in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Free Report) by 26.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,199,484 shares of the company's stock after selling 423,598 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC's holdings in Ambev were worth $2,795,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. bought a new position in shares of Ambev in the first quarter valued at $925,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co boosted its position in Ambev by 101.1% during the fourth quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 15,639,612 shares of the company's stock worth $29,512,000 after purchasing an additional 7,862,672 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Ambev by 14.4% during the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 339,069 shares of the company's stock worth $790,000 after purchasing an additional 42,722 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Ambev by 46.8% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 99,571 shares of the company's stock worth $232,000 after purchasing an additional 31,746 shares during the period. Finally, Altrius Capital Management Inc boosted its position in Ambev by 13.3% during the first quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc now owns 4,058,686 shares of the company's stock worth $9,457,000 after purchasing an additional 475,419 shares during the period. 8.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ambev Stock Performance

Shares of Ambev stock traded up $0.03 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $2.27. The company's stock had a trading volume of 10,566,886 shares, compared to its average volume of 33,389,332. The business's 50-day moving average price is $2.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.29. The firm has a market cap of $35.69 billion, a PE ratio of 14.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.74. Ambev S.A. has a 52 week low of $1.76 and a 52 week high of $2.63. 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 (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates of $0.03. The company had revenue of $3.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $21.84 billion. Ambev had a net margin of 16.18% and a return on equity of 15.39%. Equities analysts forecast that Ambev S.A. will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Ambev Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a -- dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 14th. Investors of record on Monday, August 11th will be given a dividend of $0.023 per share. This is a positive change from Ambev's previous -- dividend of $0.02. This represents a yield of 660.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 11th. Ambev's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 68.75%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays lifted their price objective 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. Wall Street Zen assumed coverage on shares of Ambev in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Ambev to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. HSBC reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Ambev in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Ambev from $2.60 to $2.70 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $2.60.

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.