Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) Shares Sold by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans decreased its stake in shares of Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) by 2.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 38,364 shares of the company’s stock after selling 823 shares during the quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in Monster Beverage were worth $2,017,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. PDS Planning Inc grew its position in shares of Monster Beverage by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 4,340 shares of the company’s stock worth $228,000 after buying an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Monster Beverage by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 23,303 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,225,000 after acquiring an additional 1,103 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp grew its holdings in Monster Beverage by 12.9% during the 4th quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 297,842 shares of the company’s stock worth $15,655,000 after acquiring an additional 34,045 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of Monster Beverage by 192.3% in the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 554,651 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,153,000 after purchasing an additional 364,929 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Monster Beverage by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 82,448 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,333,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.36% of the company’s stock.

Monster Beverage Stock Performance

NASDAQ:MNST opened at $57.86 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $56.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 3.13 and a quick ratio of 2.51. Monster Beverage Co. has a 1-year low of $43.32 and a 1-year high of $59.56. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $52.19 and its 200 day moving average price is $52.38.

Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 27th. The company reported $0.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.40 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $1.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. Monster Beverage had a return on equity of 23.31% and a net margin of 21.66%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Monster Beverage Co. will post 1.62 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $59.00 target price on shares of Monster Beverage in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on Monster Beverage from $60.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Monster Beverage in a report on Friday, February 28th. Citigroup boosted their target price on Monster Beverage from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $53.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $55.83.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Emelie Tirre sold 91,316 shares of Monster Beverage stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.38, for a total transaction of $5,057,080.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 76,201 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,220,011.38. The trade was a 54.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Mark J. Hall sold 48,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.89, for a total value of $2,634,720.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 296,846 shares in the company, valued at $16,293,876.94. This trade represents a 13.92 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 208,316 shares of company stock worth $11,484,440. Corporate insiders own 7.80% of the company’s stock.

Monster Beverage Profile

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.