Giverny Capital Inc. Boosts Stock Position in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Giverny Capital Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX - Free Report) by 4.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 749,372 shares of the coffee company's stock after purchasing an additional 31,368 shares during the quarter. Starbucks comprises 2.5% of Giverny Capital Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Giverny Capital Inc. owned 0.07% of Starbucks worth $68,380,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in shares of Starbucks in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Graney & King LLC acquired a new stake in Starbucks during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Collier Financial purchased a new stake in Starbucks during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Starbucks in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Marshall Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Starbucks in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 72.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Starbucks Stock Performance

SBUX traded up $0.74 during trading on Friday, reaching $81.50. The company's stock had a trading volume of 9,784,353 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,492,408. The company has a market capitalization of $92.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 1.00. The company's fifty day moving average price is $99.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $98.37. Starbucks Co. has a 52-week low of $71.55 and a 52-week high of $117.46.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The coffee company reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.01. Starbucks had a net margin of 9.73% and a negative return on equity of 44.97%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.90 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Starbucks Co. will post 2.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Starbucks Announces Dividend

The company 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 dividend of $0.61 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.99%. Starbucks's payout ratio is 78.71%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have commented on SBUX. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Starbucks from $115.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. UBS Group increased their price target on Starbucks from $98.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Wedbush raised their target price on Starbucks from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Baird R W cut shares of Starbucks from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Starbucks from $119.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $104.24.

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.