Guggenheim Capital LLC Boosts Stock Holdings in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Guggenheim Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX - Free Report) by 0.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 643,059 shares of the coffee company's stock after acquiring an additional 3,820 shares during the quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Starbucks worth $58,679,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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

Starbucks Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ SBUX traded up $0.74 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $81.50. 9,784,353 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,492,765. Starbucks Co. has a 12-month low of $71.55 and a 12-month high of $117.46. The firm has a market cap of $92.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.29, a P/E/G ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 1.00. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $99.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $98.26.

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

Starbucks Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.61 per share. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. Starbucks's dividend payout ratio is 78.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wedbush upped their target price on shares of Starbucks from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Argus raised shares of Starbucks from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $115.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $115.00 target price on shares of Starbucks in a report on Friday, January 24th. Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $85.00 price objective (down previously from $114.00) on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Starbucks from $119.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $104.24.

Starbucks Profile

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.