KBC Group NV Invests $1.58 Million in National Beverage Corp. $FIZZ

KBC Group NV acquired a new position in shares of National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 46,900 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,578,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its stake in National Beverage by 46.6% during the fourth quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 172,570 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,503,000 after acquiring an additional 54,877 shares in the last quarter. Denali Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of National Beverage by 22.2% in the 4th quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 222,762 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,104,000 after purchasing an additional 40,500 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 44.6% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 139,302 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,143,000 after purchasing an additional 42,970 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 56.9% during the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 63,624 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,029,000 after purchasing an additional 23,071 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in National Beverage by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,784,866 shares of the company’s stock worth $88,809,000 after purchasing an additional 41,139 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 23.95% of the company’s stock.

National Beverage Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:FIZZ opened at $30.70 on Friday. National Beverage Corp. has a 52 week low of $30.01 and a 52 week high of $47.47. The firm has a market cap of $2.87 billion, a PE ratio of 15.66 and a beta of 0.79. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $34.13 and its 200-day moving average is $34.42.

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

National Beverage Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 13th will be paid a $3.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 13th.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FIZZ has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group restated a “sell” rating and issued a $33.00 target price (down from $35.00) on shares of National Beverage in a research report on Friday, June 26th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of National Beverage in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Sell” and a consensus price target of $33.00.

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.