GAMMA Investing LLC Invests $755,000 in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ)

GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 3,080 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $755,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of Constellation Brands by 1,175.0% during the third quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 102 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares during the period. BKM Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Asset Dedication LLC increased its stake in Constellation Brands by 3,833.3% in the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 118 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands in the 3rd quarter valued at about $41,000. 77.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Constellation Brands Stock Up 0.7 %

NYSE STZ traded up $1.90 on Tuesday, hitting $261.64. 1,049,820 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,269,283. The company has a market cap of $47.83 billion, a PE ratio of 27.88, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.97. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a 12 month low of $221.81 and a 12 month high of $274.87. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $258.44 and a 200-day moving average of $247.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 11th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.10 by $0.16. Constellation Brands had a net margin of 16.13% and a return on equity of 23.06%. The business had revenue of $2.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.98 earnings per share. Constellation Brands's revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 13.51 earnings per share for the current year.

Constellation Brands Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 3rd will be issued 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.54%. Constellation Brands's dividend payout ratio is presently 37.95%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Constellation Brands news, EVP James A. Jr. Sabia sold 15,781 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, April 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.63, for a total transaction of $4,160,345.03. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 20,910 shares in the company, valued at $5,512,503.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, EVP James A. Jr. Sabia sold 15,781 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.63, for a total value of $4,160,345.03. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,910 shares in the company, valued at $5,512,503.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO William A. Newlands sold 4,013 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.25, for a total transaction of $1,056,422.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 5,395 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,420,233.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 16.19% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on STZ shares. HSBC lifted their price objective on shares of Constellation Brands from $290.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, April 12th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Constellation Brands from $292.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, April 12th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Constellation Brands from $294.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, April 15th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $300.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, April 12th. Finally, Argus raised shares of Constellation Brands from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $306.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, April 15th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $298.55.

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

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