Virtu Financial LLC Makes New Investment in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 14,069 shares of the coffee company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,284,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Quest Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Starbucks in the 3rd quarter valued at $115,000. Meridian Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Starbucks in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,095,000. Camden National Bank purchased a new position in shares of Starbucks in the 3rd quarter valued at $216,000. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Starbucks in the 3rd quarter valued at $270,000. Finally, Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Starbucks by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 19,002 shares of the coffee company’s stock valued at $1,852,000 after acquiring an additional 1,879 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.29% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Starbucks from $119.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Starbucks from $98.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Starbucks from $110.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Argus raised shares of Starbucks from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $115.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Finally, Wedbush raised their price objective on shares of Starbucks from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $106.12.

Starbucks Stock Down 2.2 %

Shares of NASDAQ:SBUX opened at $97.07 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $110.26 billion, a PE ratio of 31.31, a P/E/G ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 0.99. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $105.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $99.41. Starbucks Co. has a fifty-two week low of $71.55 and a fifty-two week high of $117.46.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The coffee company reported $0.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.90 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Starbucks Co. will post 2.99 EPS for the current 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.