Schroder Investment Management Group Increases Stock Position in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Schroder Investment Management Group lifted its holdings in shares of Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX) by 15.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 600,469 shares of the coffee company’s stock after buying an additional 81,769 shares during the period. Schroder Investment Management Group owned about 0.05% of Starbucks worth $54,390,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Starbucks in the third quarter valued at about $49,000. Avala Global LP acquired a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $24,519,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its position in shares of Starbucks by 3,973.6% during the 3rd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 118,258 shares of the coffee company’s stock valued at $11,529,000 after acquiring an additional 115,355 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Starbucks by 7.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 12,527 shares of the coffee company’s stock worth $1,221,000 after acquiring an additional 847 shares during the period. Finally, Concentric Capital Strategies LP purchased a new position in Starbucks in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $3,876,000. 72.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Starbucks Price Performance

Starbucks stock opened at $98.09 on Tuesday. Starbucks Co. has a 12 month low of $71.55 and a 12 month high of $117.46. The company has a market cap of $111.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 0.99. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $105.81 and its 200-day moving average is $99.54.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The coffee company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.90 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Starbucks Co. will post 2.99 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on SBUX. UBS Group boosted their target price on Starbucks from $98.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Starbucks from $115.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Starbucks from $119.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Wedbush upped their price target on shares of Starbucks from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective 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. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, eighteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $106.12.

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.