Arkadios Wealth Advisors has significantly amplified its stake in Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:STZ), marking a notable shift in institutional investment trends during the first quarter. This substantial increase highlights ongoing strategic maneuvers by major financial entities, underscoring investor confidence or re-evaluation within the beverage alcohol giant.

According to its latest disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Arkadios Wealth Advisors dramatically raised its holdings by 156.0%. The firm now commands 6,478 shares of Constellation Brands stock, having acquired an additional 3,948 shares within the period. This intensified investment positions Arkadios Wealth Advisors’ stake in the company at a valuation of $1,189,000 as of the most recent quarter’s close.

Beyond Arkadios, several other prominent investors have also recalibrated their positions in Constellation Brands. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings by 36.4% in the first quarter, now possessing 3,051 shares valued at $560,000. Similarly, Golden State Wealth Management LLC saw a remarkable 137.0% increase, bringing their ownership to 2,204 shares worth $405,000.

Further reinforcing institutional interest, Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. expanded its stake by 28.9% to 7,360 shares, totaling $1,351,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC also grew its holdings by 7.4% to 17,206 shares, valued at $3,180,000, while Bessemer Group Inc. modestly increased its shares by 3.0% to 2,242, worth $412,000. Collectively, hedge funds and other institutional investors now hold a significant 77.34% of the company’s stock.

Brokerage firms have recently offered varied perspectives on STZ stock. Royal Bank Of Canada revised its price objective from $289.00 to $233.00, maintaining an “outperform” rating, while DA Davidson adjusted its target from $272.00 to $241.00. Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating, whereas CJS Securities and BMO Capital Markets lowered their price targets to $194.00 and $215.00 respectively, with BMO still assigning an “outperform” rating. MarketBeat.com data indicates a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating with an average price target of $213.74 from analysts.

Examining the company’s financial health, Constellation Brands opened at $166.25 on a recent Friday, boasting a market capitalization of $29.31 billion. Key metrics include a PE ratio of -69.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.11, and a beta of 1.75. The company maintains a quick ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 1.07, alongside a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. Its stock has fluctuated between a twelve-month low of $159.35 and a high of $261.06, with 50-day and 200-day moving averages at $170.18 and $177.27, respectively.

The company’s latest quarterly earnings, released on Tuesday, July 1st, reported an EPS of $3.22, falling short of analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.45. Revenue for the quarter stood at $2.52 billion, also slightly below the $2.57 billion projection, representing a 5.5% year-over-year decline. Despite a negative net margin of 4.11%, the firm showcased a positive return on equity of 31.41%. Analysts anticipate Constellation Brands Inc. will report 13.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In a move to reward shareholders, Constellation Brands recently declared a quarterly dividend of $1.02 per share, payable on Thursday, August 14th, to stockholders of record by Wednesday, July 30th. This amounts to an annualized dividend of $4.08, yielding 2.5%, though the company’s dividend payout ratio currently stands at -170.71%.

Recent insider trading activity also warrants attention, with EVP James O. Bourdeau selling 821 shares for $138,749, reducing his stake by 8.00%. Similarly, EVP Samuel J. Glaetzer sold 3,150 shares for $593,901, representing a significant 50.19% decrease in his position. These transactions highlight insider perspectives, with 12.45% of the stock currently owned by company insiders. Constellation Brands, a global leader, produces, imports, markets, and sells a diverse portfolio of beer, wine, and spirits, including popular brands like Corona Extra and Modelo Especial, across the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy.