National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) Releases Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.09 EPS

National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.59 by ($0.09), Zacks reports. National Beverage had a net margin of 15.56% and a return on equity of 32.20%.

National Beverage Stock Up 1.2%

FIZZ traded up $0.37 on Thursday, hitting $30.91. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 352,381 shares, compared to its average volume of 340,086. National Beverage has a 12 month low of $30.01 and a 12 month high of $40.65. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $31.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $33.88. The firm has a market cap of $2.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.77 and a beta of 0.78.

National Beverage Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a special dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 30th. Investors of record on Monday, July 13th were issued a $3.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 13th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Beverage

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd grew its position in National Beverage by 156.6% during the fourth quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 1,111 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 678 shares in the last quarter. Jessup Wealth Management Inc bought a new position in National Beverage during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Beverage in the third quarter worth $39,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. increased its position in shares of National Beverage by 213.5% in the third quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 1,066 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 726 shares during the period. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in National Beverage by 72.5% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,018 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 23.95% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

FIZZ has been the topic of a number of research reports. UBS Group reaffirmed a “sell” rating and set a $32.00 target price (down from $33.00) on shares of National Beverage in a research report on Friday, September 4th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of National Beverage from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat.com, National Beverage currently has a consensus rating of “Sell” and an average target price of $32.00.

National Beverage Company Profile

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.