Ruffer LLP Sells 22,860,249 Shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Ruffer LLP lessened its holdings in shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) by 47.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 25,776,672 shares of the company’s stock after selling 22,860,249 shares during the quarter. Ambev makes up approximately 1.7% of Ruffer LLP’s portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Ruffer LLP owned 0.16% of Ambev worth $47,687,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABEV. MCIA Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev in the third quarter worth $25,000. Insight Inv LLC bought a new position in shares of Ambev during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Ambev during the third quarter valued at $29,000. Naviter Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Ambev in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new position in shares of Ambev in the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Institutional investors own 8.13% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on ABEV shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Ambev in a report on Monday, January 27th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. 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. Citigroup reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Ambev in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Bank of America cut Ambev from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $2.45.

Ambev Price Performance

Ambev stock opened at $2.24 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.42, a PEG ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.94. Ambev S.A. has a 1 year low of $1.76 and a 1 year high of $2.58. The business has a 50-day moving average of $1.89 and a 200-day moving average of $2.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.06 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.42 billion. Ambev had a return on equity of 16.12% and a net margin of 17.02%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Ambev S.A. will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be given a dividend of $0.0221 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 18th. This represents a $0.09 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.95%. Ambev’s payout ratio is currently 52.94%.

Ambev Company Profile

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.