Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co Acquires 15,200 Shares of Colgate-Palmolive Company $CL

Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co lifted its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) by 8.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 185,617 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 15,200 shares during the quarter. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co’s holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $14,838,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive by 11.0% during the third quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 2,047,542 shares of the company’s stock worth $163,681,000 after buying an additional 202,379 shares during the period. Providence Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive in the 3rd quarter worth $5,373,000. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 422,292 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,758,000 after purchasing an additional 16,017 shares during the last quarter. Cidel Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 13.6% during the second quarter. Cidel Asset Management Inc. now owns 329,060 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,912,000 after purchasing an additional 39,413 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive by 1.2% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 82,751,689 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,522,129,000 after purchasing an additional 993,432 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.41% of the company’s stock.

Colgate-Palmolive Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:CL opened at $96.17 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.90. Colgate-Palmolive Company has a 52-week low of $74.54 and a 52-week high of $100.18. The stock has a market cap of $77.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.70, a PEG ratio of 4.30 and a beta of 0.29. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $83.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $81.83.

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

Colgate-Palmolive Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 21st will be issued a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 21st. Colgate-Palmolive’s dividend payout ratio is presently 79.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CL has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Argus reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. UBS Group upped their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $90.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Raymond James Financial reduced their target price on Colgate-Palmolive from $105.00 to $95.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $94.00 price target on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research note on Saturday, January 31st. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Colgate-Palmolive has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $94.47.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Sally Massey sold 15,851 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.03, for a total transaction of $1,506,320.53. Following the sale, the insider owned 13,751 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,306,757.53. This trade represents a 53.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Stanley J. Sutula III sold 97,843 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.27, for a total transaction 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. The trade was a 63.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 134,683 shares of company stock valued at $12,708,193. Company insiders own 0.34% of the company’s stock.

Colgate-Palmolive Company 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.