Analysts Set Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) Price Target at $99.00

Shares of Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nineteen ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $99.00.

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research report on Thursday. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $106.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $104.00 target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $102.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a report on Friday, July 31st.

Colgate-Palmolive Stock Performance

NYSE CL opened at $91.90 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.82, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.67. Colgate-Palmolive has a 1-year low of $74.54 and a 1-year high of $99.33. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $91.67 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $90.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.26 billion, a PE ratio of 36.47, a P/E/G ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 0.33.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.36 billion. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 464.63% and a net margin of 9.68%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.92 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Colgate-Palmolive Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 20th were issued a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 20th. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Colgate-Palmolive’s payout ratio is 84.13%.

Insider Activity at Colgate-Palmolive

In related news, CEO Noel R. Wallace sold 161,021 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.92, for a total value of $14,801,050.32. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 362,231 shares in the company, valued at $33,296,273.52. This trade represents a 30.77% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, Director John T. Cahill sold 4,170 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.37, for a total transaction of $389,352.90. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 28,373 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,649,187.01. This trade represents a 12.81% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.43% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Colgate-Palmolive

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CL. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 86.7% during the fourth quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 323 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. TD Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 61.4% in the fourth quarter. TD Capital Management LLC now owns 326 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the period. Triumph Capital Management raised its holdings in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 62.9% in the fourth quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 329 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the period. Finally, Jessup Wealth Management Inc purchased a new position in Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. 80.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company with a long history in household and personal care categories. The business traces its roots to the early 19th century and has evolved into a multinational manufacturer and marketer of everyday consumer goods focused on health, hygiene and home care.

The company’s core activities center on oral care, personal care, home care and pet nutrition. Its product portfolio includes toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash in oral care; soaps, body washes and deodorants in personal care; dishwashing liquids, surface cleaners and other household products in home care; and scientifically formulated pet foods under its pet nutrition business.