ORG Partners LLC Boosts Stake in Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL)

ORG Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) by 507.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,422 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 5,364 shares during the quarter. ORG Partners LLC’s holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $614,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cerity Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 19.9% during the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 154,451 shares of the company’s stock valued at $12,311,000 after purchasing an additional 25,623 shares during the last quarter. Graypoint LLC grew its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive by 41.8% in the 4th quarter. Graypoint LLC now owns 5,572 shares of the company’s stock worth $444,000 after acquiring an additional 1,642 shares during the last quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC grew its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive by 26.6% in the 4th quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 22,953 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,830,000 after acquiring an additional 4,820 shares during the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the 4th quarter worth $3,970,000. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. grew its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive by 51.1% in the 4th quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 18,786 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,489,000 after acquiring an additional 6,350 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.41% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $103.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $103.00 to $111.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Argus lifted their target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $97.00 to $107.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th. Finally, HSBC reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $101.11.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Sally Massey sold 15,850 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.28, for a total transaction of $1,636,988.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 13,942 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,439,929.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Gregory Malcolm sold 10,533 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.10, for a total transaction of $1,085,952.30. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,377 shares in the company, valued at $1,069,868.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Sally Massey sold 15,850 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.28, for a total transaction of $1,636,988.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 13,942 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,439,929.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 41,177 shares of company stock valued at $4,245,835 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.34% of the company’s stock.

Colgate-Palmolive Stock Down 0.7 %

Colgate-Palmolive stock traded down $0.76 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $101.42. The stock had a trading volume of 650,150 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,397,999. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $83.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.39. Colgate-Palmolive has a 12-month low of $67.62 and a 12-month high of $104.15. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $97.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $92.00.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.04. Colgate-Palmolive had a net margin of 14.21% and a return on equity of 470.19%. The business had revenue of $5.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.77 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Colgate-Palmolive Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 19th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.97%. Colgate-Palmolive’s payout ratio is 63.29%.

Colgate-Palmolive Profile

Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items.