Northern Trust Corp Has $18.08 Million Stake in Ambev S.A. $ABEV

Key Points

• Northern Trust Corp increased its stock position in Ambev S.A. by 17.8%, owning 7,757,412 shares worth $18,075,000 at the end of the first quarter.
• The company reported earnings of $0.03 per share for the quarter, which met analysts' expectations, with a net margin of 16.18% and revenue of $3.59 billion.
• Ambev announced a dividend increase to $0.023, representing a yield of 660.0%, to be paid to stockholders in October.

Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV - Free Report) by 17.8% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,757,412 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 1,170,397 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp's holdings in Ambev were worth $18,075,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ABEV. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in Ambev by 468.4% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 10,998 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 9,063 shares in the last quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. M&T Bank Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. 8.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ambev Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of NYSE:ABEV traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $2.23. The company had a trading volume of 37,929,618 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,501,964. Ambev S.A. has a 12 month low of $1.76 and a 12 month high of $2.63. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The stock has a market cap of $35.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.91, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.84. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $2.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.33.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.03. The firm had revenue of $3.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.84 billion. Ambev had a return on equity of 15.39% and a net margin of 16.18%. On average, analysts predict that Ambev S.A. will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Ambev Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a -- dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.023 per share. This is a boost from Ambev's previous -- dividend of $0.02. This represents a yield of 660.0%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 11th. Ambev's dividend payout ratio is presently 31.25%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ABEV has been the subject of several research reports. HSBC reissued a "hold" rating on shares of Ambev in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Hsbc Global Res raised Ambev to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. UBS Group lowered their target price on Ambev from $2.50 to $2.20 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on Ambev from $2.00 to $2.50 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average price target of $2.35.

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.