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

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in June. As of June 15th, there was short interest totalling 27,890,000 shares, a growth of 169.2% from the May 31st total of 10,360,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 15,920,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days.

Ambev Stock Down 1.9 %

NYSE ABEV traded down $0.04 on Friday, hitting $2.05. The stock had a trading volume of 35,923,647 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,188,226. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $2.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $2.48. The stock has a market cap of $32.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.69. Ambev has a 52-week low of $2.01 and a 52-week high of $3.22.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.05. Ambev had a return on equity of 17.53% and a net margin of 18.25%. The company had revenue of $4.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Ambev will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on ABEV. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Ambev in a research report on Friday, March 1st. StockNews.com downgraded Ambev from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on Ambev from $3.00 to $2.50 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Ambev has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $2.68.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ABEV. Radnor Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ambev in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC purchased a new stake in Ambev during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. IPG Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Ambev during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ambev in the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, IRON Financial LLC acquired a new position in Ambev in the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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, 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.