Generali Investments Management Co LLC Acquires 23,458 Shares of Colgate-Palmolive Company $CL

Key Points

• Generali Investments raised its Colgate-Palmolive stake by 790.6% in Q4, buying 23,458 shares to hold 26,425 shares worth about $2.09 million.
• Colgate beat quarterly expectations with $0.95 EPS (vs. $0.91) and $5.23B revenue (+5.8% y/y) and increased its quarterly dividend to $0.53 (annualized $2.12, yield ~2.5%).
• Analysts show a consensus rating of Moderate Buy with a $95.56 average price target, while company insiders have been net sellers—184,683 shares sold in the past 90 days.

Generali Investments Management Co LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL - Free Report) by 790.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 26,425 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 23,458 shares during the period. Generali Investments Management Co LLC's holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $2,088,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Maseco LLP acquired a new position in Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Copia Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Cloud Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive in the third quarter worth about $30,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates raised its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 300.0% in 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. Finally, Grove Bank & Trust lifted its position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 182.6% during the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 407 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. 80.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CL has been the subject of a number of research reports. TD Cowen reissued a "hold" rating and issued a $85.00 price target on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $102.00 price objective on Colgate-Palmolive in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $100.00 to $92.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Bank of America lowered their target price on Colgate-Palmolive from $105.00 to $102.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $95.56.

Colgate-Palmolive Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of NYSE CL opened at $84.65 on Friday. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $88.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $83.87. Colgate-Palmolive Company has a fifty-two week low of $74.54 and a fifty-two week high of $99.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.31, a P/E/G ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.82, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.54.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The company reported $0.95 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.91 by $0.04. The firm 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%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.91 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Colgate-Palmolive Company will post 3.85 EPS for the current year.

Colgate-Palmolive Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.53 per share. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. This is a boost from Colgate-Palmolive's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 20th. Colgate-Palmolive's payout ratio is presently 80.92%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider John Hazlin sold 20,989 shares of the business's 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 transaction, the insider directly owned 17,645 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,663,041.25. The trade was a 54.33% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Sally Massey sold 15,851 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.03, for a total value of $1,506,320.53. Following the completion of 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. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 184,683 shares of company stock worth $17,486,693. Company insiders own 0.43% 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.

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