United Asset Strategies Inc. Boosts Holdings in Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST)

United Asset Strategies Inc. grew its position in Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) by 2.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 148,827 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,088 shares during the quarter. United Asset Strategies Inc.’s holdings in Monster Beverage were worth $7,822,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in Monster Beverage by 6.6% during the 3rd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 251,570 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,124,000 after buying an additional 15,611 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Monster Beverage by 6.7% during the third quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 151,364 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,897,000 after acquiring an additional 9,496 shares in the last quarter. Sustainable Insight Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Monster Beverage in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,214,000. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Monster Beverage in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $630,000. Finally, Miracle Mile Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Monster Beverage during the 4th quarter worth approximately $7,090,000. 72.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Monster Beverage Stock Performance

NASDAQ MNST opened at $48.28 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 3.13 and a quick ratio of 2.51. Monster Beverage Co. has a 1-year low of $43.32 and a 1-year high of $61.22. The company has a market cap of $46.95 billion, a PE ratio of 30.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.74. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $52.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $51.23.

Insider Buying and Selling at Monster Beverage

In other news, CFO Thomas J. Kelly sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.65, for a total value of $526,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 74,924 shares in the company, valued at $3,944,748.60. This represents a 11.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 7.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have issued reports on MNST. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. BNP Paribas cut their price target on Monster Beverage from $46.00 to $45.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Monster Beverage from $61.00 to $59.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Monster Beverage from $50.00 to $49.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Monster Beverage from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Monster Beverage currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $55.42.

Monster Beverage 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.