National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) Reaches New 52-Week Low – Time to Sell?

National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $30.70 and last traded at $30.3480, with a volume of 2793 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $33.82.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on FIZZ shares. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of National Beverage in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “sell” rating and set a $33.00 target price (down from $35.00) on shares of National Beverage in a report on Friday, June 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Sell” and an average price target of $33.00.

National Beverage Stock Performance

The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $34.73 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $34.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.89 billion, a PE ratio of 15.78 and a beta of 0.79.

National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 1st. The company reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.47 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $297.12 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $294.81 million. National Beverage had a return on equity of 32.20% and a net margin of 15.56%.

National Beverage Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a special dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 30th. Investors of record on Monday, July 13th will be given a dividend of $3.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 13th.

Institutional Trading of National Beverage

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 8.1% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 18,266 shares of the company’s stock worth $758,000 after acquiring an additional 1,363 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of National Beverage by 33.5% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 19,886 shares of the company’s stock valued at $826,000 after acquiring an additional 4,990 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 4.6% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 13,973 shares of the company’s stock valued at $580,000 after purchasing an additional 620 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 485.3% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 275,644 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,450,000 after purchasing an additional 228,553 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in National Beverage by 12,294.9% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 48,292 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,006,000 after purchasing an additional 48,688 shares during the last quarter. 23.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About National Beverage

National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ: FIZZ) is a U.S.-based beverage company specializing in the development, marketing and production of nonalcoholic refreshment products. The company’s portfolio includes a range of sparkling waters, soft drinks and energy beverages designed for a variety of consumer tastes and dietary preferences. Through in-house bottling operations and strategic partnerships with co-packers, National Beverage manages production from flavor formulation to final packaging and distribution.

Founded in 1985, National Beverage has broadened its product lineup over the decades through both organic brand introductions and selective acquisitions.