Leelyn Smith LLC Raises Stake in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Leelyn Smith LLC lifted its position in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX) by 2.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 44,252 shares of the coffee company’s stock after purchasing an additional 957 shares during the period. Leelyn Smith LLC’s holdings in Starbucks were worth $4,038,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in Starbucks in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Collier Financial purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Starbucks during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Noble Wealth Management PBC purchased a new position in Starbucks in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Centricity Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Starbucks in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. 72.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Starbucks Stock Performance

Shares of SBUX stock opened at $99.08 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $104.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $99.28. Starbucks Co. has a 52-week low of $71.55 and a 52-week high of $117.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $112.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.96, a P/E/G ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 0.99.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) last released its 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 quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.90 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Starbucks Co. will post 2.99 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Starbucks from $115.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Starbucks from $110.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Starbucks from $98.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Wedbush lifted their target price on Starbucks from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on Starbucks from $119.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, seventeen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $105.75.

About Starbucks

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.