Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) Shares Sold by Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc.

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. trimmed its stake in Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) by 0.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 450,828 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,351 shares during the quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Monster Beverage were worth $23,696,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MNST. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in Monster Beverage by 20.6% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,412 shares of the company’s stock worth $74,000 after buying an additional 241 shares during the period. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt raised its holdings in shares of Monster Beverage by 222.6% during the third quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 1,884 shares of the company’s stock valued at $98,000 after acquiring an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Monster Beverage by 59.1% during the third quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8,667 shares of the company’s stock valued at $452,000 after acquiring an additional 3,218 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC boosted its stake in Monster Beverage by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 25,013 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,305,000 after purchasing an additional 1,153 shares during the period. Finally, Annex Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in Monster Beverage by 30.0% in the 3rd quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 93,269 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,866,000 after purchasing an additional 21,545 shares during the period. 72.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Monster Beverage

In related news, CFO Thomas J. Kelly sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.65, for a total transaction of $526,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 74,924 shares in the company, valued at $3,944,748.60. This represents a 11.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 7.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Monster Beverage Trading Up 0.6 %

NASDAQ:MNST opened at $46.57 on Monday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $50.85 and its 200-day moving average is $51.05. The company has a quick ratio of 2.51, a current ratio of 3.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Monster Beverage Co. has a 12 month low of $43.32 and a 12 month high of $61.22. The firm has a market cap of $45.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.74.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced 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. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Monster Beverage from $61.00 to $59.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 8th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $53.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $55.42.

About Monster Beverage

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.