Sage Investment Counsel LLC Invests $204,000 in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Sage Investment Counsel LLC purchased a new stake in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 110,500 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $204,000.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ABEV. MCIA Inc bought a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. BSW Wealth Partners bought a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Insight Inv LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Institutional investors own 8.13% of the company’s stock.

Ambev Price Performance

ABEV opened at $2.07 on Friday. Ambev S.A. has a 1 year low of $1.76 and a 1 year high of $2.58. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $1.86 and a 200-day moving average price of $2.14. 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 firm has a market cap of $32.53 billion, a PE ratio of 11.47, a P/E/G ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 1.04.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.06 by ($0.01). Ambev had a return on equity of 16.12% and a net margin of 17.02%. The business had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.42 billion. Sell-side analysts predict that Ambev S.A. will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be given a $0.0221 dividend. This represents a $0.09 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.27%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 18th. Ambev’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ABEV has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Ambev in a report on Monday, January 27th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Citigroup reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Ambev in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Barclays lowered their price target on Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Bank of America lowered Ambev from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $2.45.

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.