Maryland State Retirement & Pension System Sells 260 Shares of National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ)

Maryland State Retirement & Pension System trimmed its position in National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) by 3.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,153 shares of the company’s stock after selling 260 shares during the quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System’s holdings in National Beverage were worth $418,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in FIZZ. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 45.0% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,109 shares of the company’s stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 344 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC boosted its stake in National Beverage by 7.4% in the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 4,773 shares of the company’s stock valued at $227,000 after buying an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. Everpar Advisors LLC bought a new position in National Beverage in the fourth quarter valued at about $257,000. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in National Beverage by 120.3% during the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 7,767 shares of the company’s stock worth $369,000 after acquiring an additional 4,242 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National Beverage by 3,226.4% in the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,713 shares of the company’s stock worth $529,000 after acquiring an additional 9,421 shares during the last quarter. 23.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

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

National Beverage Stock Performance

Shares of FIZZ opened at $46.16 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.42 and a beta of 0.84. National Beverage Corp. has a 52 week low of $42.85 and a 52 week high of $53.58. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $48.32 and a 200-day moving average of $47.81.

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

National Beverage Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of National Beverage from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Friday, June 28th.

National Beverage Company Profile

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.