Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) Shares Sold by Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC

Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC lessened its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL - Free Report) by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 259,683 shares of the company's stock after selling 6,008 shares during the quarter. Colgate-Palmolive comprises approximately 2.2% of Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC's holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $26,958,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of CL. SpiderRock Advisors LLC increased its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. SpiderRock Advisors LLC now owns 36,749 shares of the company's stock worth $3,815,000 after purchasing an additional 437 shares during the period. CWA Asset Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,677,000. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc grew its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive by 38.9% during the third quarter. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc now owns 1,165,104 shares of the company's stock worth $120,913,000 after acquiring an additional 326,348 shares during the period. Leavell Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 0.9% in the third quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 40,584 shares of the company's stock worth $4,213,000 after acquiring an additional 353 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the third quarter valued at $53,000. 80.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Colgate-Palmolive Trading Up 2.0 %

Shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock traded up $1.80 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $92.57. 4,568,042 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,630,135. The firm has a market capitalization of $75.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.46. Colgate-Palmolive has a 52-week low of $74.67 and a 52-week high of $109.30. The company has a fifty day moving average of $100.91 and a 200-day moving average of $98.37.

Colgate-Palmolive Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 18th. Colgate-Palmolive's dividend payout ratio is currently 57.31%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Stanley J. Sutula III sold 45,410 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.11, for a total transaction of $4,273,535.10. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 36,726 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,456,283.86. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, CFO Stanley J. Sutula III sold 45,410 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.11, for a total transaction of $4,273,535.10. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 36,726 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,456,283.86. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Martina Hundmejean sold 2,313 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.86, for a total transaction of $240,228.18. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 11,755 shares in the company, valued at $1,220,874.30. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CL. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $119.00 to $122.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $113.00 to $114.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price target on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $100.00 to $103.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. TD Cowen lowered their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $115.00 to $110.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $100.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $105.11.

Colgate-Palmolive 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.