Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) Shares Acquired by First Citizens Bank & Trust Co.

First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) by 7.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,862 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 858 shares during the quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co.’s holdings in Monster Beverage were worth $676,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. acquired a new position in Monster Beverage in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Monster Beverage in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Monster Beverage in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Quarry LP raised its stake in Monster Beverage by 152.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 824 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 497 shares during the last quarter. Finally, E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. raised its stake in Monster Beverage by 16,085.7% in the 3rd quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 1,133 shares of the company’s stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 1,126 shares during the last quarter. 72.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Monster Beverage Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MNST opened at $49.34 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 2.51 and a current ratio of 3.13. Monster Beverage Co. has a fifty-two week low of $43.32 and a fifty-two week high of $61.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $47.98 billion, a PE ratio of 31.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.74. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $52.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $51.24.

Insider Transactions at Monster Beverage

In other news, CFO Thomas J. Kelly sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.65, for a total transaction of $526,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 74,924 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,944,748.60. This trade represents a 11.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 7.80% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on MNST. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Needham & Company LLC initiated coverage on Monster Beverage in a report on Friday, December 6th. They issued a “hold” rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $59.00 target price on shares of Monster Beverage in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $49.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Monster Beverage from $61.00 to $59.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Monster Beverage currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $55.42.

Monster Beverage Profile

Monster Beverage Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in development, marketing, sale, and distribution of energy drink beverages and concentrates in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Monster Energy Drinks, Strategic Brands, Alcohol Brands, and Other.