Colgate-Palmolive Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:CL)

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Tuesday. Stock traders acquired 18,150 put options on the company. This represents an increase of 256% compared to the typical daily volume of 5,100 put options.

Colgate-Palmolive Stock Up 1.0%

CL stock opened at $98.08 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $86.35 and its 200 day moving average is $82.43. The stock has a market cap of $79.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.38 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.90. Colgate-Palmolive has a 1-year low of $74.54 and a 1-year high of $100.18.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The company reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $5.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.13 billion. Colgate-Palmolive had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 353.72%. Colgate-Palmolive’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.91 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Colgate-Palmolive Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 21st were paid a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, January 21st. Colgate-Palmolive’s dividend payout ratio is currently 79.39%.

Insider Activity at Colgate-Palmolive

In other news, CFO Stanley J. Sutula III sold 97,843 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.27, for a total transaction of $9,223,659.61. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 55,310 shares in the company, valued at $5,214,073.70. This trade represents a 63.89% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider John Hazlin sold 20,989 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total transaction of $1,978,213.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 17,645 shares in the company, valued at $1,663,041.25. This trade represents a 54.33% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 184,683 shares of company stock valued at $17,486,693 over the last quarter. 0.41% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Colgate-Palmolive

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Colgate-Palmolive by 1.2% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 83,947,987 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,633,570,000 after buying an additional 1,026,985 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 22,103,901 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,754,657,000 after acquiring an additional 304,426 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 19,246,217 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,520,836,000 after purchasing an additional 323,367 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter valued at $861,670,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG raised its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 33.9% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 10,845,857 shares of the company’s stock worth $857,040,000 after purchasing an additional 2,746,920 shares during the period. 80.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

More Colgate-Palmolive News

Here are the key news stories impacting Colgate-Palmolive this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley maintained a Buy and set a $100 price target, citing reaccelerating growth from pet nutrition, emerging markets and innovation — a direct fundamental endorsement for CL’s stock. Colgate-Palmolive: Reaccelerating Growth — TipRanks
• Positive Sentiment: Colgate‑Palmolive (India) announced a large public-health tie‑up with the Haryana government to deliver oral‑health education to millions of students — supportive for brand, distribution and long‑term top‑line in a key emerging market. Colgate-Palmolive, Haryana Government Tie-Up — TipRanks
• Positive Sentiment: Industry report projects faster cosmetics market growth through 2033 and lists Colgate among major players — a secular tailwind for segments tied to personal care and innovation. Global Cosmetics Market Competitive Landscape Report — Yahoo
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary compares Colgate to peers (including P&G and Kroger) on growth, margins and valuation — useful for investors assessing relative upside but not an immediate directional catalyst. Analysts Offer Insights on Consumer Goods Companies — Globe and Mail
• Neutral Sentiment: Technical note: coverage flagged rising relative strength for CL but said it remains below a key threshold — suggests improving momentum but not yet a clear breakout signal. Colgate‑Palmolive shows rising relative strength — MSN
• Negative Sentiment: Unusually large put‑option buying (about 18,150 puts, ~256% above average) signals elevated bearish hedging or speculation — a short‑term pressure or volatility signal for the stock.
• Negative Sentiment: Governance/DEI dispute: Colgate said it will ask investors to vote against a proposal to remove DEI criteria for board selection, drawing media attention and a conservative shareholder challenge — potential reputational/governance noise that could concern some institutional investors. Colgate‑Palmolive plans to defend DEI criteria — Reuters via Yahoo

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Argus reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $85.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Citigroup lifted their target price on Colgate-Palmolive from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Evercore increased their price target on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $94.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $94.75.

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.