Boston Common Asset Management LLC Decreases Stock Position in Colgate-Palmolive Company $CL

Boston Common Asset Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) by 3.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 286,759 shares of the company’s stock after selling 8,979 shares during the quarter. Colgate-Palmolive makes up approximately 1.1% of Boston Common Asset Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Boston Common Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $22,660,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CL. Copia Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the third quarter worth $29,000. Cloud Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive in the third quarter worth about $30,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates boosted its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 300.0% during the fourth quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 400 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust grew its stake in Colgate-Palmolive by 182.6% during the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 407 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kelleher Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive during the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. 80.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $100.00 target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Evercore lifted their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $94.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $86.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Sunday, February 1st. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on Colgate-Palmolive from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Colgate-Palmolive currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $95.25.

Colgate-Palmolive Price Performance

Shares of CL opened at $85.59 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $68.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.67, a PEG ratio of 3.78 and a beta of 0.28. Colgate-Palmolive Company has a fifty-two week low of $74.54 and a fifty-two week high of $99.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.82. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $91.13 and its 200 day moving average price is $83.39.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The company reported $0.95 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 last year, the company posted $0.91 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Colgate-Palmolive Company will post 3.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Colgate-Palmolive Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 20th will be given a dividend of $0.53 per share. This is a boost from Colgate-Palmolive’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 20th. Colgate-Palmolive’s dividend payout ratio is presently 79.39%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Stanley J. Sutula III sold 97,843 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.27, for a total value of $9,223,659.61. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 55,310 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,214,073.70. This trade represents a 63.89% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Sally Massey sold 15,851 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.03, for a total transaction of $1,506,320.53. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 13,751 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,306,757.53. This trade represents a 53.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 184,683 shares of company stock worth $17,486,693 in the last ninety days. 0.41% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.