Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) have received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-one research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have given a hold recommendation and thirteen have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $56.45.

A number of research firms have weighed in on MNST. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on Monster Beverage from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Monster Beverage from $61.00 to $60.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $61.00 to $59.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $60.00 to $54.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 8th.

Monster Beverage Price Performance

Shares of MNST stock opened at $54.83 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $52.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $51.02. The company has a market capitalization of $53.32 billion, a PE ratio of 35.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.74. Monster Beverage has a twelve month low of $43.32 and a twelve month high of $61.22. The company has a current ratio of 3.13, a quick ratio of 2.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Monster Beverage during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Stephens Consulting LLC acquired a new position in Monster Beverage during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Kings Path Partners LLC bought a new position in Monster Beverage in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Monster Beverage in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Monster Beverage during the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. 72.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.