Sigma Planning Corp Cuts Stake in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ)

Sigma Planning Corp reduced its holdings in shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) by 34.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,873 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,042 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp’s holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $856,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA purchased a new stake in Constellation Brands during the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 887.5% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 158 shares of the company’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Constellation Brands in the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands in the 3rd quarter valued at about $42,000. 77.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Constellation Brands Stock Performance

Constellation Brands stock opened at $178.27 on Wednesday. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a twelve month low of $160.46 and a twelve month high of $274.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The company has a market capitalization of $32.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.92, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.75. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $192.11 and its 200 day moving average is $224.84.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 10th. The company reported $3.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.33 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $2.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.53 billion. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 26.55% and a net margin of 6.27%. The company’s revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.19 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 13.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th were issued a $1.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 7th. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.27%. Constellation Brands’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 108.60%.

Insider Transactions at Constellation Brands

In other news, Director William T. Giles purchased 1,000 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of $186.39 per share, with a total value of $186,390.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,463 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $272,688.57. The trade was a 215.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 12.19% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on STZ. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Constellation Brands from $280.00 to $220.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $293.00 target price on shares of Constellation Brands in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “buy” rating and set a $240.00 price target on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “hold” rating and issued a $201.00 price target (down previously from $310.00) on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Monday, January 13th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Constellation Brands from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Constellation Brands presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $254.29.

Constellation Brands 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.