National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) Trading Down 4.9% Following Weak Earnings

National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ)’s share price dropped 4.9% on Friday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The company traded as low as $38.51 and last traded at $39.27. Approximately 33,488 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 178,063 shares. The stock had previously closed at $41.31.

The company reported $0.42 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.45 by ($0.03). National Beverage had a net margin of 15.63% and a return on equity of 42.80%. The firm had revenue of $267.05 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $282.22 million.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, UBS Group cut their price target on shares of National Beverage from $46.00 to $41.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th.

Insider Activity at National Beverage

In other National Beverage news, Director Cecil D. Conlee sold 2,736 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.01, for a total transaction of $128,619.36. Following the transaction, the director now owns 53,744 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,526,505.44. This represents a 4.84 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 74.80% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. New York State Teachers Retirement System lifted its position in National Beverage by 8.3% in the third quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 25,713 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,207,000 after buying an additional 1,967 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in National Beverage in the third quarter valued at about $213,000. Versor Investments LP acquired a new position in National Beverage in the third quarter valued at about $615,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in National Beverage by 5.5% in the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 15,493 shares of the company’s stock valued at $727,000 after buying an additional 811 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quest Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of National Beverage by 848.2% during the third quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 6,220 shares of the company’s stock worth $292,000 after purchasing an additional 5,564 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 23.95% of the company’s stock.

National Beverage Price Performance

The company’s 50 day moving average price is $41.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $44.69. The firm has a market cap of $3.83 billion, a PE ratio of 20.54 and a beta of 0.87.

About National Beverage

National Beverage Corp., through its subsidiaries, develops, produces, markets, and sells a portfolio of sparkling waters, juices, energy drinks, and carbonated soft drinks primarily in the United States and Canada. The company's Power+ brand portfolio offers sparkling water products under the LaCroix, LaCroix Cúrate, and LaCroix NiCola; non-carbonated flavored water under the Clear Fruit; energy drink and shots under the Rip It; juice and juice-based products under Everfresh, Everfresh Premier Varietals, and Mr.