Handelsbanken Fonder AB Trims Holdings in Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL)

Handelsbanken Fonder AB lessened its position in Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL - Free Report) by 3.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 322,322 shares of the company's stock after selling 10,650 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB's holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $29,302,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive during the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Hager Investment Management Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Colgate-Palmolive during the third quarter worth $42,000. Roxbury Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the fourth quarter worth $43,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the third quarter valued at $53,000. Institutional investors own 80.41% of the company's stock.

Colgate-Palmolive Trading Up 1.9 %

Shares of CL stock traded up $1.69 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $89.56. The stock had a trading volume of 4,747,229 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,884,892. The firm has a market capitalization of $72.68 billion, a PE ratio of 25.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.18 and a beta of 0.44. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $89.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $95.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.40. Colgate-Palmolive has a 52-week low of $84.45 and a 52-week high of $109.30.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.01. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 477.77% and a net margin of 14.38%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.87 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Colgate-Palmolive Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 21st were paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.23%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 21st. Colgate-Palmolive's payout ratio is 56.82%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on CL. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Colgate-Palmolive from $111.00 to $104.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays reduced their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $96.00 to $83.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Raymond James restated an "outperform" rating and set a $105.00 price target (down previously from $110.00) on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and issued a $101.00 price objective on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price target on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $110.00 to $100.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $101.16.

Colgate-Palmolive Company 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.