Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) Now Covered by Analysts at StockNews.com

StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) in a research note issued to investors on Sunday. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the stock.

Separately, Bank of America downgraded Ambev from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ambev currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $2.70.

Ambev Trading Down 1.4 %

Shares of Ambev stock opened at $1.79 on Friday. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $28.12 billion, a PE ratio of 9.92, a P/E/G ratio of 5.23 and a beta of 1.05. Ambev has a 1-year low of $1.76 and a 1-year high of $2.72. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $2.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.19.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. HTLF Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Ambev during the third quarter valued at about $26,000. MCIA Inc purchased a new position in Ambev in the third quarter worth $25,000. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Ambev during the third quarter worth $29,000. Riversedge Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Foster Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev in the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.13% of the company’s stock.

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.