Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST - Get Free Report) saw unusually large options trading on Friday. Stock investors bought 39,131 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 1,298% compared to the average daily volume of 2,799 put options.
Monster Beverage Stock Up 3.0 %
Shares of MNST traded up $1.61 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $55.00. 12,204,284 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,490,875. The firm has a market cap of $57.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.74. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $56.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $55.73. Monster Beverage has a 52 week low of $47.13 and a 52 week high of $61.22.
Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.42 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.43 by ($0.01). Monster Beverage had a net margin of 22.84% and a return on equity of 20.95%. The company had revenue of $1.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.38 earnings per share. Monster Beverage's revenue was up 11.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Monster Beverage will post 1.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of analysts have recently weighed in on MNST shares. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $58.00 to $56.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of Monster Beverage from $65.00 to $63.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday. HSBC cut their price objective on Monster Beverage from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Monster Beverage in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $61.32.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MNST
Insider Transactions at Monster Beverage
In related news, Director Mark J. Hall sold 659,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.55, for a total transaction of $38,584,450.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 777,840 shares in the company, valued at $45,542,532. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 9.40% of the company's stock.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Monster Beverage
Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Delta Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Monster Beverage by 0.9% in the third quarter. Delta Financial Advisors LLC now owns 19,168 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,015,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its position in shares of Monster Beverage by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 3,659 shares of the company's stock worth $211,000 after acquiring an additional 196 shares during the last quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Monster Beverage by 34.6% in the third quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 774 shares of the company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares during the period. PFG Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Monster Beverage by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 7,761 shares of the company's stock valued at $447,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mainsail Financial Group LLC increased its position in Monster Beverage by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Mainsail Financial Group LLC now owns 18,169 shares of the company's stock valued at $955,000 after purchasing an additional 211 shares during the period. 72.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
About Monster Beverage
(
Get Free Report)
Monster Beverage Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in development, marketing, sale, and distribution of energy drink beverages and concentrates in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Monster Energy Drinks, Strategic Brands, Alcohol Brands, and Other.
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