Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) has been assigned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seventeen research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and fifteen have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $296.29.

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on STZ shares. Roth Mkm reduced their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $303.00 to $298.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Constellation Brands from $320.00 to $307.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd. UBS Group lowered their target price on Constellation Brands from $320.00 to $295.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Constellation Brands from $305.00 to $280.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $315.00 target price on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Friday, July 5th.

Constellation Brands Price Performance

STZ opened at $248.09 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 1.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.39 billion, a PE ratio of 18.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.75. Constellation Brands has a 1 year low of $227.50 and a 1 year high of $274.87. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $245.42 and its 200 day simple moving average is $253.98.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 3rd. The company reported $3.57 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.46 by $0.11. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 23.72% and a net margin of 22.70%. The company had revenue of $2.66 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.67 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.91 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Constellation Brands will post 13.53 EPS for the current year.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th were paid a dividend of $1.01 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 14th. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.63%. Constellation Brands’s payout ratio is 30.10%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Kaneenat Kristann Carey sold 977 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $261.00, for a total transaction of $254,997.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 2,706 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $706,266. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Director Daniel J. Mccarthy sold 1,854 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $252.43, for a total transaction of $468,005.22. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,232 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $815,853.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Kaneenat Kristann Carey sold 977 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.00, for a total transaction of $254,997.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 2,706 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $706,266. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 16,414 shares of company stock worth $3,982,922. 12.19% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Constellation Brands

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of STZ. New Millennium Group LLC acquired a new stake in Constellation Brands in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new stake in Constellation Brands during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands in the second quarter valued at about $32,000. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Constellation Brands in the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, First Financial Corp IN bought a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands during the first quarter worth approximately $35,000. 77.34% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Constellation Brands Company Profile

Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Familiar, Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Light, Corona Non-Alcoholic, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, Modelo Especial, Modelo Chelada, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.