Aquatic Capital Management LLC Makes New Investment in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX)

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

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Graney & King LLC purchased a new position in Starbucks during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Collier Financial purchased a new position in Starbucks during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Starbucks during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Marshall Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Starbucks during the fourth quarter worth approximately $30,000. 72.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Starbucks Stock Performance

Shares of SBUX stock traded up $0.95 on Tuesday, hitting $84.85. 15,444,108 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,531,751. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $95.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $97.75. Starbucks Co. has a twelve month low of $71.55 and a twelve month high of $117.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $96.38 billion, a PE ratio of 27.37, a PEG ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 1.00.

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

Starbucks Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be given a $0.61 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.88%. Starbucks's payout ratio is currently 78.71%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Argus upgraded Starbucks from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $115.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. Wedbush increased their price target on Starbucks from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Starbucks from an "underperform" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $76.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Baird R W downgraded Starbucks from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Guggenheim decreased their target price on Starbucks from $95.00 to $83.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Starbucks currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $101.60.

About Starbucks

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.