Park Avenue Securities LLC Acquires 37,696 Shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Park Avenue Securities LLC boosted its holdings in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) by 130.9% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 66,483 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 37,696 shares during the period. Park Avenue Securities LLC’s holdings in Ambev were worth $123,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of ABEV. MCIA Inc bought a new position in Ambev during the third quarter worth $25,000. HTLF Bank acquired a new stake in Ambev in the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Ambev during the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Riversedge Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ambev in the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Foster Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Ambev in the third quarter valued at about $33,000. 8.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ambev Price Performance

Ambev stock opened at $1.80 on Monday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $2.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The company has a market capitalization of $28.28 billion, a PE ratio of 9.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.44 and a beta of 1.05. Ambev S.A. has a one year low of $1.76 and a one year high of $2.72.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.0414 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 23rd. This represents a dividend yield of 1.93%. Ambev’s payout ratio is presently 38.89%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have commented on ABEV shares. Barclays cut their price target on Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Bank of America lowered Ambev from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Citigroup reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Ambev in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Ambev in a research note on Monday. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $2.45.

About Ambev

Ambev SA, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and sale of beer, draft beer, carbonated soft drinks, malt and food, other alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic and non-carbonated products in Brazil, Central America and Caribbean, Latin America South, and Canada. It offers beer primarily under the Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Brahva, Budweiser, Bud Light, Beck, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Balboa ICE, Balboa, Atlas Golden Light, Atlas, Bucanero, Cristal, Mayabe, Presidente, Presidente Light, Brahma Light, Bohemia, The One, Corona, Modelo Especial, Stella Artois, Quilmes Clásica, Paceña, Taquiña, Huari, Becker, Cusqueña, Michelob Ultra, Busch, Pilsen, Ouro Fino, Bud 66, Banks, Deputy, Patricia, Labatt Blue, Alexander Keith’s, and Kokanee brands.