Gabelli Funds LLC Buys 400 Shares of National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ)

Gabelli Funds LLC increased its stake in shares of National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) by 1.1% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 36,800 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC’s holdings in National Beverage were worth $1,747,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of FIZZ. Raymond James & Associates boosted its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 10,565 shares of the company’s stock worth $525,000 after buying an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund increased its stake in shares of National Beverage by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 13,452 shares of the company’s stock worth $638,000 after purchasing an additional 238 shares during the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 12,991 shares of the company’s stock worth $646,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the period. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp lifted its stake in National Beverage by 1.4% in the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 20,434 shares of the company’s stock valued at $970,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in National Beverage by 0.3% during the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 121,734 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,777,000 after purchasing an additional 315 shares during the period. 23.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, UBS Group boosted their target price on National Beverage from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, June 28th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Stanley Michael Sheridan sold 16,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.81, for a total value of $828,960.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 76,508 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,963,879.48. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Stanley Michael Sheridan sold 16,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.81, for a total value of $828,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 76,508 shares in the company, valued at $3,963,879.48. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Cecil D. Conlee sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.11, for a total value of $501,100.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 56,480 shares in the company, valued at $2,830,212.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 75.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

National Beverage Stock Performance

NASDAQ FIZZ traded up $0.56 during trading on Friday, hitting $49.98. 158,783 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 262,582. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.44 and a beta of 0.84. National Beverage Corp. has a 12-month low of $42.85 and a 12-month high of $55.12. The business has a 50 day moving average of $48.57 and a 200-day moving average of $48.11.

National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, June 26th. The company reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.47. National Beverage had a net margin of 14.83% and a return on equity of 36.10%. The company had revenue of $297.32 million for the quarter.

National Beverage Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 24th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 24th were issued a $3.25 dividend. This is an increase from National Beverage’s previous dividend of $3.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 24th.

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.