Groupe la Francaise Grows Position in Colgate-Palmolive Company $CL

Key Points

• Groupe la Française increased its Colgate-Palmolive stake by 47.9% in the second quarter, adding 66,392 shares to own 205,115 shares valued at approximately $18.75 million. Institutional investors hold 80.41% of the company.
• Colgate-Palmolive reported quarterly EPS of $0.99, exceeding estimates by $0.04, while revenue rose 4.9% year over year to $5.36 billion. The company also paid a quarterly dividend of $0.53 per share, representing a 2.4% annualized yield.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a $99 average price target. However, insiders sold 175,191 shares worth $16.1 million over the last quarter.

Groupe la Francaise grew its stake in Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL - Free Report) by 47.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 205,115 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 66,392 shares during the quarter. Groupe la Francaise's holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $18,750,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in CL. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 86.7% in the fourth quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 323 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. TD Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 61.4% during the 4th quarter. TD Capital Management LLC now owns 326 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Triumph Capital Management increased its stake in Colgate-Palmolive by 62.9% in the 4th quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 329 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jessup Wealth Management Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. 80.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Colgate-Palmolive Trading Up 0.0%

CL opened at $88.80 on Monday. Colgate-Palmolive Company has a 12 month low of $74.54 and a 12 month high of $99.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.82. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $91.88 and a 200 day moving average of $89.82. The firm has a market cap of $70.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.24, a P/E/G ratio of 4.14 and a beta of 0.33.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.36 billion. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 464.63% and a net margin of 9.68%.The company's quarterly revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.92 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Colgate-Palmolive Company will post 3.87 EPS for the current year.

Colgate-Palmolive Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 20th were given a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 20th. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. Colgate-Palmolive's payout ratio is 84.13%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director John T. Cahill sold 4,170 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.37, for a total transaction of $389,352.90. Following the transaction, the director owned 28,373 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,649,187.01. This represents a 12.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, COO Panagiotis Tsourapas sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.05, for a total value of $920,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 64,901 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,974,137.05. The trade was a 13.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 175,191 shares of company stock valued at $16,110,903. 0.43% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently commented on CL. UBS Group boosted their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $106.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "buy" rating and set a $101.00 target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $104.00 to $103.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group restated a "hold" rating on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $99.00.

About Colgate-Palmolive

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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