Lecap Asset Management Ltd. Makes New $1.38 Million Investment in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ)

Lecap Asset Management Ltd. bought a new stake in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 5,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,384,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Constellation Brands by 1,175.0% during the third quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 102 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares during the period. BKM Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Constellation Brands during the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Asset Dedication LLC grew its holdings in Constellation Brands by 3,833.3% during the third quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 118 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the period. Finally, Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in Constellation Brands during the fourth quarter valued at $34,000. 77.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Constellation Brands Price Performance

Shares of STZ stock traded down $6.10 on Friday, reaching $262.24. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,629,401 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,318,122. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a 12-month low of $221.81 and a 12-month high of $274.87. The company has a market capitalization of $47.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.96, a PEG ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.97. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $256.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $246.99.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 11th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.10 by $0.16. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 23.06% and a net margin of 16.13%. The business had revenue of $2.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.98 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 13.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Constellation Brands Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 3rd will be given a dividend of $1.01 per share. This is an increase from Constellation Brands's previous quarterly dividend of $0.89. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 2nd. This represents a $4.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.54%. Constellation Brands's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.95%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have weighed in on STZ. HSBC increased their price objective on Constellation Brands from $290.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Constellation Brands from $292.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Argus lowered Constellation Brands from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Constellation Brands from $309.00 to $301.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Bank of America increased their price objective on Constellation Brands from $290.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 18th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Constellation Brands has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $298.11.

Constellation Brands 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 Premier, Corona Familiar, Corona Light, Corona Refresca, Corona Hard Seltzer, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Modelo Chelada, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.