Aquatic Capital Management LLC Buys Shares of 254,777 Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Aquatic Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 254,777 shares of the coffee company's stock, valued at approximately $23,248,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in Starbucks in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Graney & King LLC bought a new position in shares of Starbucks in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Collier Financial bought a new position in shares of Starbucks in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Starbucks in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Starbucks in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. 72.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Starbucks Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ SBUX traded up $0.50 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $80.55. The stock had a trading volume of 8,999,464 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,630,184. The firm has a market cap of $91.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 1.00. Starbucks Co. has a twelve month low of $71.55 and a twelve month high of $117.46. The company's 50 day moving average price is $94.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $97.54.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The coffee company reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.51 by ($0.10). The firm had revenue of $8.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.90 billion. Starbucks had a negative return on equity of 44.97% and a net margin of 9.73%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.68 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Starbucks Co. will post 2.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Starbucks Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.61 per share. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. Starbucks's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 78.71%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

SBUX has been the topic of several recent research reports. TD Securities cut their price objective on shares of Starbucks from $102.00 to $90.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Starbucks from $88.00 to $84.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Starbucks from $103.00 to $92.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Baird R W downgraded shares of Starbucks from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Starbucks from an "underperform" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $76.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $98.15.

Starbucks Profile

Starbucks Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a roaster, marketer, and retailer of coffee worldwide. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Channel Development. Its stores offer coffee and tea beverages, roasted whole beans and ground coffees, single serve products, and ready-to-drink beverages; and various food products, such as pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch items.