Birinyi Associates Inc. Decreases Stock Holdings in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Birinyi Associates Inc. lessened its stake in Starbucks Co. (NASDAQ:SBUX) by 3.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,545 shares of the coffee company’s stock after selling 255 shares during the quarter. Birinyi Associates Inc.’s holdings in Starbucks were worth $597,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in shares of Starbucks in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Collier Financial purchased a new position in Starbucks in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Starbucks during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the fourth quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Morton Brown Family Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Starbucks by 43.9% in the fourth quarter. Morton Brown Family Wealth LLC now owns 505 shares of the coffee company’s stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. 72.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Starbucks Trading Up 1.2 %

SBUX stock opened at $114.59 on Wednesday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $100.58 and its 200 day moving average price is $98.00. Starbucks Co. has a 12-month low of $71.55 and a 12-month high of $115.24. The company has a market capitalization of $130.16 billion, a PE ratio of 36.96, a P/E/G ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 1.00.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on SBUX shares. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $115.00 price target on shares of Starbucks in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Barclays upped their price target on Starbucks from $119.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Starbucks from $115.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Starbucks from $110.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on Starbucks from $96.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, seventeen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Starbucks currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $105.75.

Starbucks 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.