Greenleaf Trust Decreases Holdings in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ)

Greenleaf Trust trimmed its position in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) by 8.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,302 shares of the company’s stock after selling 218 shares during the period. Greenleaf Trust’s holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $509,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of STZ. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new position in Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 887.5% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 158 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Eastern Bank acquired a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the third quarter valued at about $39,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Constellation Brands in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Constellation Brands in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $60,000. 77.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Constellation Brands Price Performance

NYSE:STZ opened at $172.72 on Wednesday. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a one year low of $166.02 and a one year high of $274.87. The stock has a market cap of $31.22 billion, a PE ratio of 46.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 1.10. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $214.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $233.24.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 10th. The company reported $3.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.33 by ($0.08). Constellation Brands had a net margin of 6.27% and a return on equity of 26.55%. The firm had revenue of $2.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.53 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.19 EPS. The company’s revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 13.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be given a dividend of $1.01 per share. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. Constellation Brands’s payout ratio is presently 108.60%.

Insider Activity

In other Constellation Brands news, EVP James A. Jr. Sabia sold 36,086 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.99, for a total value of $8,768,537.14. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 16,042 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,898,045.58. This represents a 69.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO William A. Newlands sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $243.58, for a total transaction of $6,089,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 7,274 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,771,800.92. This trade represents a 77.46 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 61,746 shares of company stock valued at $15,017,097 in the last quarter. Insiders own 12.19% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

STZ has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Constellation Brands from $295.00 to $275.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Piper Sandler downgraded Constellation Brands from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price target for the company from $245.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Monday. Barclays reduced their price objective on Constellation Brands from $282.00 to $214.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a $201.00 target price (down previously from $310.00) on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Finally, BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Constellation Brands in a research note on Monday, November 25th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $261.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $254.29.

About Constellation Brands

Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Familiar, Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Light, Corona Non-Alcoholic, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, Modelo Especial, Modelo Chelada, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.