Early Retirement Portfolio: Top 15 Stocks to Buy

11. Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62

On April 14, Barclays analyst Lauren Lieberman lowered the firm’s price recommendation on Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) to $79 from $88. It reiterated an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The change came as part of a broader Q1 preview across the consumer staples group. Barclays said it has “growing caution” heading into earnings, pointing to higher input costs. In food, the analyst noted there are now “building concerns” around the sustainability of the dividend for certain companies, according to a research note.

On April 10, BofA analyst Peter Galbo also trimmed the price target on Colgate-Palmolive, bringing it down to $102 from $105, while maintaining a Buy rating. Ahead of Q1 earnings, the firm updated its estimates for organic sales and FY26 EPS. The revisions reflect several factors, including a shift in the launch timing of Optic White in North America, which is affecting consumption. The analyst also incorporated a more conservative view on gross margins, taking into account the potential impact from rising oil costs, as noted in the preview.

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) operates across Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, and Pet Nutrition. Its Oral, Personal, and Home Care business spans North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa/Eurasia, serving retailers, distributors, dentists, and skin health professionals.