National Pension Service Increases Stock Holdings in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ)

National Pension Service boosted its stake in shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ - Free Report) by 2.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 313,320 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 7,261 shares during the quarter. National Pension Service owned about 0.17% of Constellation Brands worth $75,745,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BKM Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Asset Dedication LLC increased its position in Constellation Brands by 3,833.3% during the third quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 118 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Constellation Brands in the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter worth about $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.34% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Constellation Brands

In other news, EVP James A. Jr. Sabia sold 15,781 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 12th. The stock was 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 approximately $5,512,503.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related 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 value of $4,160,345.03. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 20,910 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,512,503.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael Mcgrew sold 3,237 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $255.50, for a total value of $827,053.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,731 shares of the company's stock, valued at $442,270.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 23,031 shares of company stock worth $6,043,821 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 16.19% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on STZ shares. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $292.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 12th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Constellation Brands from $290.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, April 12th. Barclays upped their target price on Constellation Brands from $294.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, April 15th. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Constellation Brands from $312.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 12th. Finally, Wedbush reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $298.55.

Constellation Brands Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of Constellation Brands stock traded up $2.34 during trading on Thursday, reaching $260.70. 443,515 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,207,452. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $261.48 and a 200-day moving average price of $249.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $47.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a twelve month low of $223.01 and a twelve month high of $274.87.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 11th. The company reported $2.26 EPS 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 company had revenue of $2.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.98 EPS. Constellation Brands's revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 13.51 EPS 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. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 3rd will be issued a $1.01 dividend. This is a positive change from Constellation Brands's previous quarterly dividend of $0.89. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 2nd. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.55%. Constellation Brands's payout ratio is 43.07%.

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