KBC Group NV Raises Stock Position in Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST)

KBC Group NV grew its holdings in shares of Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) by 1.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 200,244 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 2,689 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NV’s holdings in Monster Beverage were worth $10,524,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Monster Beverage by 273.7% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 63,028 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,148,000 after purchasing an additional 46,164 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC bought a new stake in Monster Beverage in the second quarter worth $234,000. Quarry LP increased its position in Monster Beverage by 152.0% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 824 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 497 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Monster Beverage in the second quarter valued at $8,850,000. Finally, Cim LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Monster Beverage by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Cim LLC now owns 303,810 shares of the company’s stock worth $14,650,000 after acquiring an additional 5,517 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.36% of the company’s stock.

Monster Beverage Price Performance

MNST opened at $49.10 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $47.75 billion, a PE ratio of 31.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 3.13 and a quick ratio of 2.51. The business’s 50-day moving average is $51.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $51.22. Monster Beverage Co. has a 1 year low of $43.32 and a 1 year high of $61.22.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on MNST. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $59.00 price target on shares of Monster Beverage in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. UBS Group decreased their target price on Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $53.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC began coverage on shares of Monster Beverage in a report on Friday, December 6th. They issued a “hold” rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $55.42.

Insider Activity

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

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.