Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,090,000 shares, an increase of 25.4% from the March 31st total of 4,060,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 13,010,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Radnor Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Ambev during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Ieq Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. IPG Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, HighPoint Advisor Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Institutional investors own 8.13% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Ambev in a research note on Friday, March 1st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Ambev in a research note on Friday, January 26th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays downgraded shares of Ambev from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and decreased their price target for the company from $3.50 to $3.00 in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $3.20.

Ambev Price Performance

Ambev stock traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $2.33. 11,225,374 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 11,897,479. The company has a market cap of $36.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. Ambev has a twelve month low of $2.23 and a twelve month high of $3.23. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $2.45 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2.62.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.05 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $4.04 billion during the quarter. Ambev had a net margin of 18.19% and a return on equity of 17.60%. Equities analysts expect that Ambev will post 0.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Ambev

Ambev SA, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and sale of beer, draft beer, carbonated soft drinks, other non-alcoholic beverages, malt, and food products. It offers beer primarily under the Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Brahva, Budweiser, Bud Light, Beck, Leffe and Hoegaarden, 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, Banks, Deputy, Patricia, Labatt Blue, Alexander Keith's, and Kokanee brands.