Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) Shares Acquired by Baker Ellis Asset Management LLC

Baker Ellis Asset Management LLC grew its position in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) by 27.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,376 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Baker Ellis Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $304,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Paloma Partners Management Co lifted its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 568.4% in the 3rd quarter. Paloma Partners Management Co now owns 30,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,731,000 after purchasing an additional 25,512 shares in the last quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 84,204 shares of the company’s stock valued at $21,699,000 after purchasing an additional 2,980 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in Constellation Brands by 318.8% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 10,184 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,624,000 after acquiring an additional 7,752 shares in the last quarter. WealthPlan Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Constellation Brands by 29.5% during the 3rd quarter. WealthPlan Investment Management LLC now owns 30,160 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,772,000 after acquiring an additional 6,867 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Constellation Brands during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,132,000. 77.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Constellation Brands Price Performance

Shares of NYSE STZ opened at $179.36 on Friday. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a twelve month low of $176.51 and a twelve month high of $274.87. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The company has a market capitalization of $32.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.75. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $223.36 and a 200-day simple moving average of $237.32.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 10th. The company reported $3.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.33 by ($0.08). Constellation Brands had a net margin of 6.27% and a return on equity of 26.55%. The firm had revenue of $2.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.53 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.19 earnings per share. Constellation Brands’s revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 13.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th will be paid a dividend of $1.01 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 7th. This represents a $4.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.25%. Constellation Brands’s payout ratio is currently 108.60%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on STZ shares. UBS Group reduced their price target on Constellation Brands from $265.00 to $223.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Argus lowered Constellation Brands from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Roth Capital reduced their price target on Constellation Brands from $298.00 to $284.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 17th. TD Cowen reduced their price target on Constellation Brands from $270.00 to $260.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $308.00 price target on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Constellation Brands has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $259.05.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO William A. Newlands sold 25,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $243.58, for a total transaction of $6,089,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 7,274 shares in the company, valued at $1,771,800.92. This represents a 77.46 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP James A. Jr. Sabia sold 36,086 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $242.99, for a total value of $8,768,537.14. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 16,042 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,898,045.58. The trade was a 69.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 69,172 shares of company stock worth $16,778,841 in the last three months. 12.19% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.