Virtu Financial LLC Takes $1.28 Million Position in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 14,069 shares of the coffee company's stock, valued at approximately $1,284,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quest Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Starbucks in the third quarter valued at approximately $115,000. Meridian Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks in the third quarter worth about $1,095,000. Camden National Bank bought a new position in Starbucks in the 3rd quarter valued at $216,000. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Starbucks during the 3rd quarter valued at $270,000. Finally, Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. increased its stake in Starbucks by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 19,002 shares of the coffee company's stock worth $1,852,000 after acquiring an additional 1,879 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.29% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on SBUX. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Starbucks from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $115.00 target price on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Starbucks from $110.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Barclays upped their price objective on Starbucks from $119.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, Argus upgraded Starbucks from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $115.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $106.12.

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Starbucks Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ SBUX traded up $2.09 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $97.97. 9,559,283 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 10,621,459. The company has a market cap of $111.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.60, a PEG ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 0.99. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $105.61 and a 200-day moving average price of $99.47. 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 announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The coffee company reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 in the previous year, the firm posted $0.90 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Starbucks Co. will post 2.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.