Columbus Macro LLC Invests $8.25 Million in Colgate-Palmolive Company $CL

Columbus Macro LLC purchased a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 104,385 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,249,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Colgate-Palmolive by 3,052.2% in the 3rd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 2,697,047 shares of the company’s stock worth $215,602,000 after purchasing an additional 2,611,485 shares during the period. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 46.7% during the third quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 8,077,549 shares of the company’s stock valued at $645,719,000 after buying an additional 2,572,796 shares during the period. Amundi increased its position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 41.6% during the third quarter. Amundi now owns 6,294,445 shares of the company’s stock valued at $487,505,000 after buying an additional 1,850,412 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its stake in Colgate-Palmolive by 360.9% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 2,126,249 shares of the company’s stock worth $169,972,000 after purchasing an additional 1,664,949 shares in the last quarter. Finally, OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp grew its position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 2,890.5% during the 2nd quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 1,417,542 shares of the company’s stock valued at $128,855,000 after purchasing an additional 1,370,140 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.41% of the company’s stock.

Colgate-Palmolive Trading Down 0.0%

CL stock opened at $84.25 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $67.59 billion, a PE ratio of 32.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.78 and a beta of 0.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.82, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.83. Colgate-Palmolive Company has a one year low of $74.54 and a one year high of $99.33. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $91.11 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $83.37.

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

Colgate-Palmolive Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 20th will be given a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 20th. This is a positive change from Colgate-Palmolive’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. Colgate-Palmolive’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 79.39%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider John Hazlin sold 20,989 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 represents a 54.33% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Sally Massey sold 15,851 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.03, for a total value of $1,506,320.53. Following the transaction, the insider owned 13,751 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,306,757.53. The trade was a 53.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 184,683 shares of company stock valued at $17,486,693 over the last three months. 0.41% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on CL. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Colgate-Palmolive from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday. Barclays boosted their target price on Colgate-Palmolive from $83.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $83.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $100.00 price objective on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a report on Friday, February 20th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $94.75.

Colgate-Palmolive Profile

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.