Insider Trading Roundup: Colgate-Palmolive (CL)

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) insider has recently participated in insider trading activity. COO G1.Innov.&Gwth,Eur.&Hill’s, GARCIA FABIAN T sold 137,647 shares for $ 9,051,804 via one transaction Feb 16. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 117,517           shares in total, priced at $ 7899492.74 as of Thursday. Another notable insider trading was done by the same insider on Feb 11. GARCIA FABIAN T sold 7,353 shares at an average price of $65.01 for a total of $ 478,033. Moreover, Verduin Patricia carried out a sale of 3,666 shares at $66.58 each on Feb 16. The transaction amounted to $ 244,082. Sr. VP Office of the Chairman HUSTON JOHN J sold 14,000 shares for $ 908,431 through one transaction Feb 11. Following this sale, this insider’s stake in the company comprises 86,438 shares, priced at $5810362.36 as of Thursday.

The stock has experienced a total of 25 insider trades in the past three months. These trades include 23 sell activities and 2 buy trades. Furthermore, over the past 12 months, the stock was traded 108 times by insiders. In 80 of these trades, the insider was a seller while an employee of the company was the buyer in just 28 instances.

On January 29, 2016, Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) reported worldwide Net sales of $3,899 million in fourth quarter 2015, a decrease of 7.5% versus fourth quarter 2014. Global unit volume was even with the year ago quarter. Excluding divested businesses, unit volume increased 1.0%. Pricing increased 4.0% and foreign exchange was negative 11.5%. Organic sales (Net sales excluding foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestments) grew 5.0%.

Net income (loss) and Diluted earnings (loss) per share in fourth quarter 2015 were $(458) million and $(0.51), respectively. Net income (loss) in fourth quarter 2015 included a $1,058 million ($1.18 per diluted share) aftertax charge resulting from a change in accounting for the Company’s Venezuelan operations (see discussion later in this press release) and $55 million ($0.06 per diluted share) of aftertax charges resulting from the implementation of the Company’s Global Growth and Efficiency Program (the “2012 Restructuring Program”) and a previously disclosed competition law matter in Australia.

Excluding the above noted items in both periods, Net income in fourth quarter 2015 was $655 million, a decrease of 6% versus fourth quarter 2014, and Diluted earnings per share in fourth quarter 2015 was $0.73, a decrease of 4% versus fourth quarter 2014. On a currency-neutral basis and excluding the above noted items in both periods, Diluted earnings per share increased double digit.