Principal Financial Group Inc. Buys 2,684 Shares of National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ)

Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in shares of National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) by 2.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 116,874 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,684 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.12% of National Beverage worth $4,855,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of FIZZ. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in National Beverage by 102.4% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 830 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 420 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in National Beverage during the 4th quarter valued at about $52,000. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of National Beverage by 307.6% during the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,333 shares of the company’s stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 1,006 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in National Beverage by 38.3% during the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,499 shares of the company’s stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 415 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP lifted its position in shares of National Beverage by 6,875.0% during the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,674 shares of the company’s stock valued at $71,000 after buying an additional 1,650 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 23.95% of the company’s stock.

National Beverage Stock Performance

FIZZ opened at $46.94 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $44.77 and its 200-day moving average price is $42.88. National Beverage Corp. has a 52-week low of $38.25 and a 52-week high of $52.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.39 billion, a PE ratio of 23.47 and a beta of 0.81.

National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 2nd. The company reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.48. National Beverage had a return on equity of 49.48% and a net margin of 15.55%. The firm had revenue of $313.63 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $303.26 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.47 earnings per share.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, UBS Group lifted their price target on National Beverage from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, July 7th.

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.