Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST) Given New $53.00 Price Target at UBS Group

Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST) had its target price trimmed by UBS Group from $57.00 to $53.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. BNP Paribas reduced their price objective on shares of Monster Beverage from $46.00 to $45.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. Argus raised their price objective on Monster Beverage from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their target price on Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Monster Beverage currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $56.10.

Monster Beverage Stock Performance

Shares of Monster Beverage stock opened at $49.65 on Thursday. 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 firm has a market cap of $48.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.74. Monster Beverage has a one year low of $43.32 and a one year high of $61.22. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $53.00 and its 200-day moving average is $51.26.

Insider Buying and Selling at Monster Beverage

In related news, CFO Thomas J. Kelly sold 10,000 shares of Monster Beverage stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The shares were 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,944,748.60. The trade was a 11.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 7.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Monster Beverage

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. acquired a new position in shares of Monster Beverage in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Monster Beverage in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Quarry LP raised its holdings in Monster Beverage by 152.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 824 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 497 shares in the last quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. lifted its position in Monster Beverage by 16,085.7% during the third quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 1,133 shares of the company’s stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 1,126 shares during the period. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Monster Beverage by 84.9% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,185 shares of the company’s stock worth $62,000 after acquiring an additional 544 shares during the period. 72.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Monster Beverage Company Profile

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.