Swedbank AB Reduces Holdings in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Swedbank AB decreased its stake in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX - Free Report) by 0.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 549,558 shares of the coffee company's stock after selling 2,611 shares during the quarter. Swedbank AB's holdings in Starbucks were worth $50,147,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Aspire Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in Starbucks by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. Aspire Capital Advisors LLC now owns 23,210 shares of the coffee company's stock valued at $2,118,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Riverview Trust Co grew its holdings in Starbucks by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 3,199 shares of the coffee company's stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Foster Group Inc. raised its position in Starbucks by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Foster Group Inc. now owns 2,885 shares of the coffee company's stock worth $263,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the period. Essex Savings Bank lifted its stake in Starbucks by 1.6% in the third quarter. Essex Savings Bank now owns 7,250 shares of the coffee company's stock worth $707,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Virtue Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Starbucks by 1.7% during the third quarter. Virtue Capital Management LLC now owns 6,909 shares of the coffee company's stock valued at $674,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.29% of the company's stock.

Starbucks Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of SBUX stock traded up $0.09 on Thursday, hitting $108.67. The company had a trading volume of 8,265,329 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,420,069. Starbucks Co. has a twelve month low of $71.55 and a twelve month high of $110.34. The firm has a market cap of $123.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $95.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $93.00.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The coffee company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.01. Starbucks had a net margin of 10.40% and a negative return on equity of 46.39%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.90 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Starbucks Co. will post 3.08 EPS for the current year.

Starbucks Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be issued a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.25%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 14th. Starbucks's payout ratio is currently 73.72%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on SBUX. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Starbucks from $98.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Starbucks from $98.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $115.00 price objective on shares of Starbucks in a report on Friday, January 24th. Redburn Atlantic restated a "sell" rating and issued a $77.00 target price (down from $84.00) on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Starbucks from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, seventeen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Starbucks presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $105.52.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Rachel Ruggeri sold 1,491 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.54, for a total transaction of $148,414.14. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 80,124 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,975,542.96. The trade was a 1.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.98% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Starbucks Company 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.