National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) Reaches New 12-Month Low on Disappointing Earnings

Key Points

• National Beverage shares fell to a new 52-week low, trading as low as $28.85 after the company reported disappointing quarterly results.
• The company reported earnings per share of $0.50, below the $0.59 analyst consensus, while revenue of $330.66 million also missed expectations of $342.08 million.
• Analyst sentiment remains negative: UBS reiterated a “sell” rating with a $32 price target, and the stock’s average rating is “Sell.” National Beverage also paid a special $3.25-per-share dividend.

National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during trading on Friday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The stock traded as low as $28.85 and last traded at $29.7910, with a volume of 4083 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $30.91.

The company reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.59 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $330.66 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $342.08 million. National Beverage had a net margin of 15.56% and a return on equity of 32.20%.

National Beverage Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a special dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 13th were issued a $3.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 13th.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on FIZZ shares. UBS Group reiterated a "sell" rating and set a $32.00 price target (down from $33.00) on shares of National Beverage in a research note on Friday, September 4th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of National Beverage from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a report on Tuesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Sell" and an average target price of $32.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Beverage

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its position in National Beverage by 958.8% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 900 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 815 shares during the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of National Beverage by 72.5% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,018 shares of the company's stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 428 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Beverage in the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 213.5% in the third quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 1,066 shares of the company's stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 726 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP purchased a new stake in shares of National Beverage in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 23.95% of the company's stock.

National Beverage Stock Down 2.9%

The company's fifty day moving average price is $31.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $33.84. The firm has a market cap of $2.81 billion, a PE ratio of 15.41 and a beta of 0.78.

About National Beverage

National Beverage Corp. NASDAQ: FIZZ is a U.S.-based beverage company specializing in the development, marketing and production of nonalcoholic refreshment products. The company's portfolio includes a range of sparkling waters, soft drinks and energy beverages designed for a variety of consumer tastes and dietary preferences. Through in-house bottling operations and strategic partnerships with co-packers, National Beverage manages production from flavor formulation to final packaging and distribution.

Founded in 1985, National Beverage has broadened its product lineup over the decades through both organic brand introductions and selective acquisitions.

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